HAWICK -- The two men allegedly responsible for the burglary and arson at the Monson Lumber Company are scheduled to be formally charged in Kandiyohi District Court today.
Gary Alvin Scheel, 54, of Belgrade and Gregory Allen Scheel, 22, of Paynesville were arrested Saturday after authorities began an investigation of a fire that destroyed the Monson Lumber Company.
The suspects names were released Monday by the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Department. Their arraignment on formal charges is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Both men were arrested on multiple felony ch-arges, according to a press release from the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Department.
Gary Scheel was arrested on felony ch-arges of third-degree burglary, attempted theft and liability of crimes of another. Gregory Scheel was arrested on felony charges of third-degree burglary and attempted theft.
ADVERTISEMENT
Kandiyohi County Sheriff Dan Hartog said the reason for the burglary is still under investigation. "They had stolen some property from the business," Hartog said. Hartog would not say what exactly was stolen.
Several community members saw the Scheels in Hawick during the early morning hours Saturday. Hartog said a couple individuals chased the Scheels away from the lumber yard.
"They fled from the area there of the lumber yard," Hartog said.
The fire was reported to the Kandiyohi County law enforcement dispatch center at 5:38 a.m. Reed Quarfot of Hawick said he called in the fire after he spotted smoke coming from the building on his morning walk.
"At first I just thought it was natural, that building being so old," Quarfot said. "I couldn't even imagine that someone would light it."
New London Fire Chief Sigurd Holme was one of the first emergency personnel at the scene.
Holme said the heat, flames and smoke were intense. The fire, which started in the main office, through the second story of the building.
"That building is destroyed," Holme said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Because there are no fire hydrants in Hawick, firemen had to douse the fire with the aid of tanker trucks. Holme said 54 firemen battled the blaze for over 5 hours. The last firemen left the scene around 11 a.m.
Despite the fire, the company's owners are determined to stay in business.
Jeff Monson, who co-owns the business with Richard Rooney, said they had moved their offices to a shed. There are six buildings on the company's property.
"We will be open as always," Monson said.
Monson said the fire destroyed the main office building, which also housed their showroom. He said they are planning on rebuilding.
Firefighters from New London were aided by emergency personnel from Spicer, Paynesville, Lake Henry, Atwater, Kandiyohi Rescue Squad and New London Ambulance.
Both Gary and Gregory Scheel have faced prior charges in Kandiyohi County. Gary Scheel pleaded guilty in 1998 to a third-degree burglary charge. Gregory Scheel pleaded guilty in 2002 to fifth-degree controlled substance crime.
-- Staff writer Chris Vondracek contributed to this article
