BRIGHAM CITY -- Two years after an arson fire destroyed the historic Merrill Planing Mill in Brigham City, a suspect has been charged.
Luke Hunsaker, 25, has been formally charged with one count of arson, a second-degree felony, and one count of burglary, a third-degree felony, in connection with the Nov. 10, 2008, fire.
Hunsaker appeared in 1st District Court on Monday for arraignment.
Attorney Jon Bunderson, who is representing Hunsaker, told Judge Ben Hadfield he will be seeking the identity of an anonymous informant and the criminal records of other witnesses.
A preliminary hearing has been set for Feb. 1.
Brigham City police say the fire was started in the early morning hours of Nov. 10. Firefighters extinguished the flames, but the fire reignited later in the morning.
All that remains of the building are the exterior stone walls.
The mill, built in 1875, was the second historic Brigham City building to burn in a three-month period, so when the fire was reported to emergency dispatchers, a patrol officer and investigator responded to the scene.
Hunsaker was questioned at the time but denied any involvement, and there was little physical evidence to tie him to the incident, police said.
Brigham City police and the Box Elder County attorney are releasing few details about the investigation.
In a news release, Lt. Mike Nelsen said Hunsaker was interviewed again after authorities received an anonymous tip and Hunsaker confessed to starting the fire at the Merrill Planing Mill.
The Aug. 26, 2008, fire at the J.H. Bott and Sons Monument Co. -- just a few blocks away -- remains unsolved.
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