Posted: 11/17/04
By MaryHelen Swanson
A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered to anyone who has information that will lead to the arrest of the person or persons who attempted to destroy a home on Fairfield Ave. in Rush City.
On Tuesday, Nov. 9, a passerby noticed an open door and graffiti written on the house. The sheriffís department was called and then the Rush City Fire Department.
According to Rush City Fire Chief Bob Carlson, there were obvious signs of arson and it appears to be a hate crime by the derogatory writing on the walls.
A fire was averted in the Tuesday attempt.
Then on Friday night, Nov. 12, a call came in to the fire department around 11:30 p.m. about a fire at the same home. Carlson believes it was an attempt to finish the job and get rid of the house.
According to Chisago County Investigator Garice Carlson, it was evident Tuesday that an accelerant had been poured on the floor inside the house.
After the Tuesday incident, he said, additional deputy patrol had been added in Rush City. And RC fire chief Carlson had placed arson signs on the property.
No one was in the home either day, but the fire chief said with the accelerant inside on Tuesday, a very serious situation could have occurred if either the homeowner or a firefighter had opened the door. The action could have sparked a flash fire that could have been disastrous.
The Rush City Fire Department was on the scene for several hours during the night Friday, as well as Denise DeMars from the state fire marshallís office.
DeMars sifted through debris for evidence that is now being analyzed.
According to fire chief Carlson, the fire rekindled Saturday morning, further burning the structure which is now a total loss.
Investigator G. Carlson said he was not aware of racial issues in the community.
He said the man who was living in the home did say he would on occasion receive messages in his mailbox to leave, but he had always thrown them away. They were never reported to law enforcement.
The continuing investigation will be handled by Chisago County Investigator Doug Henning.
If anyone has any information about the incident, he or she should call Investigator Henning at (651) 231-6320. Callers can remain anonymous.
Fire chief Bob Carlson said this is a grave situation and it is being taken very seriously.
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