Deridder, Louisiana – The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFM) is urging the public to come forward with information that can aid in the identification and location of a suspect believed to be responsible for a deliberate car dealership fire in the Deridder area last November.

On Saturday, November 18, 2023, the Rosepine Fire Department responded to a distress call at approximately 4:30 a.m. regarding a fire at the Benoit Ford dealership, situated in the 18000 block of Johnnie B Hall Memorial Highway in Deridder, Louisiana. The blaze, which was later determined to be intentionally set, ravaged the building and destroyed the dealership’s entire inventory.

Thanks to tips, photographs, and videos provided by the public, investigators were able to conclude that the fire was an act of arson. Now, authorities are once again relying on the public’s assistance to identify and apprehend the individual responsible for the incident.

Surveillance footage reveals a young male, approximately 6 feet tall, donning a dark-colored hoodie and skinny jeans, lurking around the dealership’s property around 4 a.m. A passerby reported the fire 30 minutes later.

The SFM is appealing to anyone with information about the suspect’s identity or whereabouts to contact the SFM Arson Hotline at 1-844-954-1221 or share their information through the online tip form available at lasfm.org.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.