Chippewa Falls (WQOW) - A local fire department is now calling a major fire suspicious and they're asking the public for help.
It's been over a month since the fire broke out on Spring Street in downtown Chippewa Falls. Investigators spent the last few days this week carefully examining what's left of the building and say the fire started in apartment #4.
The investigation has ruled out electricity as the cause because there was no electrical service to that apartment at the time of the fire. The also say it didn't start in the kitchen. Police believe there are missing details that the community can provide.
"Knowing where it started is one thing, proving why it started is completely different. So we're going to look to the community for some more information, there is going to be a $5,000 award for information that can lead to more information for leads to the investigation," says Det. Sgt. Brian Micolichek of the Chippewa Falls Police Department.
Police say they are leaning toward arson as the cause of the fire but that nothing can be proven until they have more information.
If you have any information regarding the fire call 1-800-362-3005.
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Chippewa Falls (Press Release) - On Sept. 19th and 20th, the Chippewa Falls Police Department and the Chippewa Falls Fire and Emergency Service along with several fire investigators and forensic engineers examined the fire scene at 15 and 15 1/2 W. Spring St. in the city of Chippewa Falls.
After a thorough examination it was determined that the origin of the fire was inside apartment #4. Although the cause of the fire at this time is deemed "undetermined," electrical has been eliminated as a contributing factor due to both the renter of apartment #4 and the building owner indicating that the electrical service to apartment #4 was disconnected at the time of the fire.
A forensic engineer examined the electrical components in apartment #4 and confirmed that the components were not energized at the time of the fire. An examination of the kitchen appliances in apartment #4 further confirmed that the fire did not originate in the kitchen.
Furthermore, there were earlier reports of "electrical issues" with a service panel in second floor hallway. An examination of the fire scene along with eyewitness accounts proved that the fire did not start in any of the electric service panels. Some artifacts from the apartment have been removed for further examination.
Due to the suspicious nature of the fire the Chippewa Falls Police Department is actively continuing its investigation. Although numerous people have been interviewed at this time, we believe there is still more information in the community that has not been provided.
The Chippewa Falls Police Department through the Wisconsin Arson Insurance Council is offering an award of up to $5,000 for further information is this case. If you have a tip please contact the Wisconsin Arson Tip Line at 800-362-3005 or visit wiarsonhotline.org. You may also call the Chippewa Falls Police Department tipster line at 715-720-6944.
