Authorities and advocates are offering a reward for information on the fire that destroyed a strip mall that was home to six businesses in Fresno, a news release said Wednesday.
The Fresno Fire Department and Valley Crime Stoppers announced a $5,000 reward for tips that lead to the conviction of the arsonist that burned the structures near Clovis Avenue and Kings Canyon Road on Jan. 6.
The fire brought down the majority of the building, which was on the north side of Kings Canyon Road and housed the barbershop, along with a hair salon, pharmacy, dance studio and two restaurants — Irish O’Sullivan’s Sunnyside Lounge and Sunnyside Deli.
Sunnyside Deli was separated by a wall from the rest of the building and took extensive damage though it is still standing.
The Fresno Fire Department earlier this month opened an arson investigation into blaze in the Sunnyside neighborhood and shared video of two suspects believed to responsible for the fire.
The surveillance footage shows two men breaking into Blendz Barber Lounge early on the morning of the fire.
The two can be seen throwing what appear to be rocks at the front of the business, eventually shattering the window glass and gaining entry, the video shows.
Anyone with relevant information is asked by Valley Crime Stoppers to call 559-498-7867.
Valley Crime Stoppers President Dale Mendoza, right, with Fresno Fire public information officer Jonathan Lopez to the left, announces an increase of a reward to $5,000 for information about the fire that consumed several businesses in a strip mall near Kings Canyon and Clovis avenues during a press conference at the site Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
Fresno Fire Department personnel stand in the background after Valley Crime Stoppers President Dale Mendoza announces an increase of a reward to $5,000 for information about the fire that consumed several businesses in a strip mall near Kings Canyon and Clovis avenues during a press conference at the site Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
Two men stand surveying the damage after Valley Crime Stoppers President Dale Mendoza announced an increase of a reward to $5,000 for information about the fire that consumed several businesses in a strip mall near Kings Canyon and Clovis avenues during a press conference at the site Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
Valley Crime Stoppers President Dale Mendoza, center, at microphone, announces an increase of a reward to $5,000 for information about the fire that consumed several businesses in a strip mall near Kings Canyon and Clovis avenues during a press conference at the site Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
A strip mall at Kings Canyon Road and Phillip Avenue caught fire Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, in southeast Fresno, California. The building was home to Irish O’Sullivan’s Sunnyside Lounge Restaurant and Pub and Sunnyside Deli. JOSHUA TEHEE jtehee@fresnobee.com
This story was originally published January 18, 2023 at 3:52 PM.
Reporter Thaddeus Miller has covered cities in the central San Joaquin Valley since 2010, writing about everything from breaking news to government and police accountability. A native of Fresno, he joined The Fresno Bee in 2019 after time in Merced and Los Banos.
