NEWMAN, Calif. — A pre-dawn fire that tore through the administrative building of the Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District early Saturday morning has been ruled arson, and investigators are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect captured on security footage.

The fire was reported at 3:15 a.m. June 29 at 1040 Merced St., where firefighters arrived to find heavy flames engulfing part of the structure.

Newman Fire Department crews were met with a difficult attic fire that took nearly an hour and a half to extinguish. “It was a challenge getting it out,” said Fire Chief Keith Bowen. “The way the structure was designed made getting access to where the fire was burning difficult.”

Bowen said the fire originated outside, near a carport, then climbed up the wall and into the attic. “There was no significant source to make it burn there,” he said, prompting immediate suspicion of foul play. The Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigation Unit was called to the scene.

Security cameras from the district office and a neighboring business confirmed that the fire was intentionally set, and investigators were able to obtain an image of the suspect. No injuries were reported, but damage to the building was estimated at $200,000, with another $50,000 in content losses.

Newman firefighters responded with two engines, a rescue unit, and 11 volunteers. Additional support came from Gustine, Mountain View, and West Stanislaus fire agencies.

Anyone with information that could help identify the arsonist is urged to contact authorities. Anonymous tips may be submitted through Crime Stoppers by texting “StanCS” to 738447, calling 1-866-602-7463 or (209) 521-4636, or visiting stancrimetips.org. Tips that lead to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.

The last arson fire reported in Newman occurred in September 2023 when homes under construction off Prince Street were set ablaze. No suspect was ever identified in that case.