A tower at the Oesterling feed mill on Monroe Street in Butler was damaged by a fire and had been scheduled for demolition in June 1970. Butler Eagle File Photo

A fire destroyed at least $500,000 in property on Monroe Street in Butler in June 1970, and the state fire marshal was investigating the possibility that the blaze was the result of arson.

A fire started around 12:20 a.m. June 26, seemingly under the roof of the Busy Beaver store on Monroe Street. State police fire marshal Michael Motily said the fire was spotted about 22 to 25 feet off the ground, which could have indicated it started from the rafters of the structure.

Motily also heard from firefighters who found a sparking electrical wire, which snapped shortly after their arrival. Additionally, Motily heard a report that a car pulled out from the Busy Beaver parking lot on the night of the fire, but witnesses were torn on which direction the car traveled.

Despite these reports, Motily said he was not committed to the arson theory, but would look into it as a possibility.

State fire marshal Michael Motily, left, listens to Roland Logue, center, and Donald Bauer, whose buildings were destroyed by a fire on June 26, 1970. Butler Eagle File Photo