Fire in vacant building considered arson
JANESVILLE — Janesville fire and police officials are investigating a fire on Janesville’s northeast side Saturday night as an arson.
The fire at 3717 E. Milwaukee St. was suspicious for several reasons, said Sgt. Jimmy Holford with the Janesville Police Department:
-- The home was vacant.
-- Officials found some evidence of forced entry.
-- The fire appeared to be started in several places on living room furniture.
The Janesville Fire Department quickly put the flames out at the brick house after receiving the call at 8:13 p.m. Saturday.
The house is about a block away from fire station No. 4, 4117 Milwaukee St.
The building was owned by Paul R. Simon, 49, of 911 Suffolk Drive, Janesville, and had been vacant several months, Holford said. Before that, it was rented out.
Simon said Monday morning he had no comment about the incident, adding, “I’m going to let the police and fire department do their work.”
The fire damaged some furniture, but the fire department didn’t create a damage estimate because Simon said he had planned to raze the building and considered the contents worthless, said Shift Commander Craig Jones with the Janesville Fire Department.
Simon did not have insurance on the building, Jones said.
The police department doesn’t have any suspects, Holford said.
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By GAZETTE STAFF 07/14/08
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