The fire was reported just after 4 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2014. Firefighters arrived to find flames and smoke coming from all of the windows of the former Mississippi Café building at 213 18th Street. The building partially collapsed, and a total of eight buildings were affected.
Businesses and apartment residents were displaced by damage from the fire. No injuries were reported.
Investigators now say the fire was intentionally set, and they have charged a Rock Island man in connection with the fire.
Jason Earl Anderson, 34, was arrested at his home in the 1800 block of 13th Street just before 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 21, 2014, according to Rock Island Police Department Deputy Chief Jason Foy.
Anderson was charged with one count of arson, which is a Class 2 felony, and one count of residential arson, which is a Class 1 felony.
Online court records showed Anderson had a history of reported mental illness, and that at least two other arson cases filed against him in Rock Island County were dismissed in connection with his condition.
Jaded Gypsy Tattoo was among the businesses destroyed in the fire. Owner Dan Bonowski said the news of an arrest only brought him more questions.
"I thought we would get some closure, but right now, I just have more questions than anything. First and foremost, why? Why would a person do something like this?" said Bonowski. "It's just the impact and the devastation that one person's actions can have on so many people's businesses and lives."
Anderson was held in the Rock Island County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.