Arson Reward Goes To Keller's Father -- He'll Donate The $25,000 To Burned-Out Church

The father of arsonist Paul Keller today received a $25,000 reward for turning in his son to help solve a series of fires in the Seattle, Everett and Ellensburg areas last year.

George Keller, of Everett, said he intends to donate the money to Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood to aid victims of arsons and help the church to rebuild. Trinity Lutheran was destroyed by a fire set by his son on Aug. 9, 1992.

"After family discussion and prayer, the idea surfaced to contact Pastor Richard Rouse," Keller said.

Paul Keller set more than 75 fires between August 1992 and January of this year, causing about $16 million in damage.

Other recipients of the reward, which was made by the Washington Insurance Council and totaled $46,300, are:

-- Bonnie Spurrier of Cle Elum, $6,000, who saw Keller at a bank cash machine in Cle Elum after a fire and provided a partial license number;

-- Michael Wagener, $3,000, and Marla Rae Towles, $2,500, both of Seattle, for providing an initial description of Keller's car after a fire;

-- John Johnson, Seattle, $3,800 for giving a description of Keller after a November fire;

-- Jon and Sharon Pettit and Karen Packebush, of Snohomish, $1,500 each for providing a description of Keller's car;

-- Lisa Cotler, Seattle, $1,500, who gave a description of Keller and his car after an October fire in Fremont.