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Milton police investigating suspicious fires

Photo

John Conger

MILTON — Milton police are asking for the public’s help to solve three suspicious fires set in the city in a little less than eight hours.

The first fire was reported at 6:18 p.m., Monday at 1046 Nelson Ave. A homeowner came home, noticed the fire and called the fire department, Milton police Lt. John Conger said.

There were no signs of forced entry to the home, which had substantial smoke and water damage.

Conger said the fire had several points of origin in the basement.

The second and third fires were reported at 2:18 a.m., Tuesday, at 392 E. Madison Ave., about a mile away, Conger said. A motor home was set ablaze, as was the cab of a Dodge pickup truck.

The motor home was a complete loss, and the truck sustained substantial damage.

Precise damage estimates from the three fires are not yet known, but Conger said the amount likely would be in the tens of thousands of dollars.

“We can’t say for sure at this point that the three fires are related,” he said, “but they are pretty coincidental.”

Conger said the department is treating the three fires as arsons.

Police have no suspects, and the Rock County Sheriff’s Office and Milton Fire Department are assisting with the investigation.

“We are asking anyone who may have seen something out of the ordinary in these particular neighborhoods to contact us,” Conger said. “Or maybe they noticed someone with a burn injury.

“We don’t know that anyone was burned in these incidents, but it’s possible.”

TO HELP

Anyone with information about three suspicious fires in Milton on Monday night and early Tuesday morning can contact the Milton Police Department at (608) 757-2244 or Janesville Area CrimeStoppers at (608) 756-3636.

Tips also can be texted to 274637, followed by “JAC” and the message.

Those who provide information to CrimeStoppers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.