Arson Investigators Dig For Answers Along With Lone Steer Owner - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Arson Investigators Dig For Answers Along With Lone Steer Owner

An arrest connected to the motel fire comes as little relief to the owner of the building.

He says he does not have insurance and lost everything in the fire, as well as a place for his family to live.

"I was sleeping and somebody came and knocked on the door and said we have fire." says Mohammad Akhtar/Lone Steer owner.

As federal investigators sift through the rubble and speak with witnesses, one man sits and watches the last of the Lone Steer smolder.

"Everywhere had a hot spot because we have lot of furniture, remodeling the whole thing." says Akhtar.

Mohammad Akhtar has been the owner of the Lone Steer for the past four years, but Sunday he had to see his investment go up in flames.

"I know that somebody put fire and then ran away, people saw, I saw." he says.

He and much of the community watched the motel burn to the ground. Hours later, he is still unable to vacate.

"We don't have anything left, anything, everything burned." he says.

He's not the only one waiting for answers.

"We square danced out here so that was fun, hate to see it go because it takes all the memories away." says Melvin and Florence Gertz, long-time Steele residents.

They had to swing by and take a look much like everyone in the small community.

"Everybody's sad because this is a nice place, a landmark." says Akhtar.

So as arson investigators dig for answers about the cause of the fire, the owner searches for his own in the aftermath.

"I have to start all over because I don't have building insurance, I had business insurance, that's all my 100 percent loss, I don't have anything." he says.

The Red Cross is providing assistance to around 21 families and 33 individuals who evacuated during the fire, including the owner's family.