Missoula County detectives say that all of the signs are pointing to arson when it comes to Thursday morning's fire at Brown's Towing in Pinesgrove, just east of Missoula.

Fire Investigators say it's clear someone broke into the business and rummaged through the office and then set a fire to cover their tracks.

The fire started on Thursday morning just after 3:30 a.m. and the Missoula Rural Fire District, Clinton Fire and East Missoula Fire all responded to the blaze, which flared up again, later in the morning.

Jack Brown, the owner of Brown's Towing says all three of his businesses operated out of this one office.

"I had checkbooks for all three businesses.  We own Brown's Towing, Helen's Pile Car Service and Bennette Truck Transport.  So the check books were in there and a couple of money bags.  I don't know what's gone or not."

Detective Rick Newlon says," the suspects did go through a lot of drawers, scattered a lot of stuff, and carried things to the front porch that were in the back office.  We're piecing that together as to what's missing."

Anyone with information about the blaze is encouraged to contact the Missoula County Sheriff's Department or Crimestoppers at 721.4444. 

- Robin O'Day reporting from KPAX in Missoula