Unity insurer offers $10K reward in arson that destroyed township garage

The insurance carrier for Unity Township is offering up to $10,000 for information leading to a conviction in a Sept. 24 arson that destroyed the public works building.

The township should have plans completed soon for building a replacement. Bids could go out by early September, township Solicitor Gary Falatovich said.

The reward is offered as part of the township’s policy though Cincinnati Insurance.

“All the insurance policies nowadays have additional endorsements that provide reward coverage in arson cases,” Falatovich explained.

Anyone with information about the arson is asked to contact state police at 724-832-3288.

According to Falatovich, the replacement building will retain the same concrete block construction and will occupy the same space as the original 2004 structure. But the new building will have some enhancements that are in line with current construction codes, including a sprinkler system and electrical upgrades, he said.

Joe Bleehash, the architect for the burned building, is also working on the replacement.

A state police fire marshal estimated the loss of the building, and vehicles and equipment inside, at up to $5 million. Township Supervisor John Mylant and employee Scott Morrison were able to drive a few vehicles out of the burning building, and several others already were parked outside.

The township has replaced most of the destroyed items and is renting two temporary garages on Route 981 and Lloyd Avenue Extension.

Mylant said the township still wants to replace a street sweeper but has delayed the purchase until 2019. It could cost more than $200,000.

Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff at 724-836-6622, jhimler@tribweb.com or via Twitter @jhimler_news.