COLONIE, N.Y. -- The Midway Fire Department is asking for the public's help in finding out who is responsible for setting a fire to the pavilion and picnic area located behind the department.

They are offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who may have information that will lead to a conviction. They think someone intentionally set the fire.

It happened earlier in the week, sometime after midnight, when all of the members of the volunteer department were home. The fire chief said it was not the call he was expecting, especially since it is literally in the department's backyard.

"No, it is not something that you expect to hear at all actually so when you pull up and see one of your buildings on fire, it is a shock. But we have a job to do and we did it,” said Chief Robert Sammons.

The chief estimates the damage at about $75,000, but it's more than that when you factor in the loss of revenue for renting out the space.

The Boy Scouts also lost $15,000 in camping gear that was being stored in the building.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call Colonie police at 783-2744.

If you would like to make a donation to the Boy Scouts, the address is:

Boy Scout Troop 77
c/o Midway Fire Department
1956 Central Avenue
Albany, NY 12205