Fire is second arson case in month in Willmar

WILLMAR –– A fire that damaged an unoccupied home in southwest Willmar early Friday morning has been ruled arson.
Willmar Police Chief Jim Felt said it is believed that flammable liquids were used to start the fire.
Damage to the home was contained to the exterior and there were no injuries during this incident.
Felt said this incident is “similar in nature to a fire to the exterior of an occupied residence in the 2700 block of Ninth Street Southwest in Willmar” on Sept. 6.
A reward of up to $5,000 is available for information leading to an arrest on each arson case, Felt said.
At 1:55 a.m. Friday the Willmar Fire Department responded to a report of fire at the two-story wood-frame home, located at 621 8th St. SW.
They were on the scene for about an hour.
According to Lee Sorenson, who lives across the street, the burned home has been unoccupied for at least a decade.
The Willmar Police Department and Willmar Fire Department were assisted by the Kandiyohi and Pennock fire departments, Willmar Ambulance Service and the State Fire Marshal.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Minnesota Arson Hotline at 1-800-723-2020 or the Willmar Police Department at 320-235-2244.