By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Editor
LINCOLN COUNTY – A suspect is in custody and charged with arson after a “suspicious” house fire was reported in the early morning hours of Thursday, Aug. 19, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said.
The location of the fire was not specified.
According to a release from the Sheriff’s Office, the owners of the home reported that they woke up to the smell of smoke shortly before 5 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 19. Upon investigating, they found that an exterior wall of their house was on fire. The homeowners also discovered “other small fires around the yard,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
“While they attempted to put out the fire, they observed an unknown male subject attempting to start the homeowner’s pickup truck on fire,” the Sheriff’s Office stated. “Upon seeing the homeowners, the suspect fled.”
Upon arrival on the scene, K9 Nina and her handler tracked the suspect to his house, where he was later taken into custody on a preliminary charge of arson.
The suspect, whose name was not released, is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, Aug. 20.
The case remains under investigation, and there is no threat to the public at this time, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The Town of Russell Fire Department, the State of Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the State of Wisconsin Crime Lab assisted the Sheriff’s Office with the investigation.