Marianne Paton Saturday’s early morning blazed has been labeled as arson. The Florida Fire Marshall office is currently conducting an investigation into the suspected criminal activity.

Officials suspect arson was the cause of a fire that damaged the Matlacha post office Saturday morning.

Firefighters with the Matlacha-Pine Island Fire Control District summoned to the fire at the Matlacha Post office, 4547 Pine Island Road at 4:15 a.m. discovered that the back entrance door to the post office was unlocked. An investigation is under way as officials suspect the blaze and possible theft were arson-related. No one was in the building and there were no injuries.

A reward is being offered for any information linked to the crime.

In addition to the post office fire, another unit also was damaged at the far end of the building and, according to building owner Donna Loibl at least two of the businesses were broken into. Several baseball caps, jewelry and tools were taken, however, it is not yet clear if any items were removed from the post office.

Also located in the building are Danny Springs Real Estate Appraisal and Harborside Hair which were untouched by the blaze.

Those renting Post Offices Boxes at the Matlacha Post Office can retrieve their mail from the Mid-Cape Post Office, 79 Mid Cape Terrace on Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call the Mid-Cape Post Office at 772-2960.

A reward of $2,500 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and convictions of the suspected arson(s) and those with information are asked to call 1-877-662-7764.