The Rochester Fire Investigator Unit, along with officials from the ATF, have determined that the cause of the fire at the Family Dollar on North Clinton Avenue, was arson.

After four days of sifting through the rubble, at a press conference Saturday, representatives from the Rochester Fire Department, the RPD and ATF officials made the announcement. They are offering a reward of $5,000, for information leading to an arrest in this massive fire.

Other than the cause, no other details of the fire are being released, like how exactly the fire was set, or even where it was set. Investigators would only say the fire started inside the Family Dollar. The store manager told YNN the day of the fire, that it started in the paper goods aisle.

"Training, experience, knowledge of the investigators from ATF and from the city of Rochester. That combined group's experience and training is what lead them to properly examine the scene and then conclude that it was in fact an intentionally set fire," said Chris Porreca, ATF team leader.

"The ATF has offered a $5,000 reward for information related to the fire on North Clinton Avenue. Essentially, we're back down to investigative work, police work if you will. Following up on leads, talking to witnesses, people of interest," said John Caufield, Rochester Fire Chief.

Anyone with any information should call 911.

The fire, which broke out Monday morning, destroyed the Family Dollar and other businesses in the strip mall. No one was seriously injured in the fire, but two firefighters were treated for cuts and heat exhaustion.

Fire investigators indicated that the fire at the North Goodman Family Dollar that happened the same day is not linked to the North Clinton incident.

Business Owners Check Out Damage

Monday's fire at the Clinton Ridge Plaza damaged all 11 businesses in the plaza to some degree. For the first time Saturday, business owners were allowed back in their stores to see what they could salvage.

The owner of the plaza says the total cost of the damage is well over $3 million, and while some of the businesses plan to rebuild, just cleaning up could take months.

It took Richard Trovato more than 40 years to build his business.

"It's devastating. It hurts your heart," said Trovato, owner of Auto Finishers Supply Company.

Monday's fire almost took it all in just seven hours.

"I haven't slept all week. You think back of everyday coming back to work and seeing something like this and how foolish it happened really," said Trovato.

Foolish because the fire was intentionally set inside the Family Dollar at the center of the plaza Trovato bought 10 years ago.

“It's the hardest feeling, you know, to think someone went in there purposely and did that," he said.

The Family Dollar is a total loss. Auto Finishers and several others can be salvaged.

"There was also, you know, damage that was caused just by the travel of smoke, water, suppression efforts things like that. So, all the businesses sustained some kind of damage, but to differing degrees," said Chris Porreca, ATF team leader.

Trovato has moved most of his business and 30 employees to his other store in Gates. While insurance won't cover all his losses, he plans to rebuild here.

"We'll get it all back into shape. We'll get it all back. Hopefully, it will be better," said Trovato.

After all Trovato still has something he says made his business a success in the first place: his family.

"The worst thing that could have happened to me is if I lose one of my children and I didn't lose any of that. It makes us stronger. Makes our family stronger," he said.

Trovato's cousin was actually one of the firefighters who worked to save his store. He recognized the family pictures. Despite losing more than a million dollars worth of inventory, Trovato plans to reopen his store on North Clinton Avenue next week.

Monroe County Fire Wire