$10,000 reward offered in arson case

SOAP LAKE – A $10,000 reward was offered on Jan. 16 for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of the person or persons responsible for a December arson fire near Soap Lake.

The fire occurred on Dec. 20. No arrest was reported as of Jan. 22. Typically a reward can be up to $250.

Grant County Sheriff’s deputies and Fire District 7 firefighters answered a call just after midnight for a fire in an unoccupied home at 19688 County Road A.3 NW near Soap Lake. The investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and Grant County Fire Marshal revealed the fire was arson. ?

According to Sheriff's Tom Jones, the home is owned by Bruce Gibbins, Colleen Gibbins and Laura Kimball. The three are brother and sisters who grew up in the Soap Lake area.

The home had been their parents’ residence dating back 60 years. Colleen Gibbins is an Ephrata resident. Bruce Gibbins and Laura Kimball live out of the area. ?

The investigation revealed a possible correlating incident which happened after the fire. On Christmas morning, unknown suspects dumped a dead part-Chihuahua dog in Colleen Gibbin’s yard on E Street NE in Ephrata, Jones said.

Jones said it was apparent the dog had been in a freezer prior to being dumped at Colleen Gibbins' residence. Jones suspects this act of intimidation is associated with the arson case. ?

The Sheriff’s Office is interested in finding the owner of the deceased dog with the hope they can provide additional leads to possible suspects. The dead dog was 10-15 lbs. with light tan fur and faint white markings on the front feet.

Persons missing a dog matching this description are asked to contact investigators. ?

Deputy Jon Melvin and Deputy Fire Marshal Nathan Poplawski are investigating these incidents and can be contacted through MACC Dispatch at 509-762-1160. Those with interest in the reward may report through MACC or the Arson Alarm Foundation, 800-55-ARSON. ?