A June 12 fire at a former vacant building on Hwy. 53 is being considered arson.

Authorities are offering a monetary reward of up to $10,000 for information in the case, according to Tim Satterfield, deputy chief of operations for Dawson County Emergency Services.

"We're still investigating it," he said. "I don't have any subjects at this time."

The building, located at 4191 Hwy. 53 E. just west of Ga. 400, went up in flames in the early morning hours of June 12.

"It was brought to our attention by some of the firemen," Satterfield said. "They smelled what they thought was gasoline."

Both DCES and the insurance company for the property owner took samples of the liquid, with the samples coming back positive for gasoline.

"We ruled out any other possible causes," Satterfield said, detailing that there was no forced entry.

The building used to be a pet boarding and grooming facility. It had stood vacant for some months prior to the June blaze.

Anyone with information can contact the sheriff's office tip line at (706) 265-4744, or the Georgia Arson Control tip line at (800) 282-5804.