Fire labeled suspicious; Fire marshal finds signs of ‘incendiary’ blaze
Published 9:39 am Thursday, March 8, 2018
- Austin firefighters watch as water is put through an upstairs window at 304 11th Ave. SW Wednesday. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin police and the state fire marshal are investigating possible arson in a Wednesday house fire at 304 11th Ave. SW.
Darrell James Wigham, 29, has been arrested for arson though police would not confirm if it is in connection Wednesday’s blaze
Darrell James Wigham, 29, who resided at the home, was arrested on Wednesday. He is currently in Mower County Jail awaiting possible felony first-degree arson charges; however, law enforcement would not confirm if his arrest was related to this case.
According to Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger, Austin police and fire responded to the call at 9:55 a.m. on Wednesday. Two women, ages 18 and 20, who were at the house at the time were rescued from the roof by a neighbor and a police officer before the Austin Fire Department arrived. An 18-year-old male at the residence also got out of the house.
None of the people at the residence when the fire broke out lived there, according to Krueger. Krueger said statements given to police by those individuals led them to believe the fire started under suspicious circumstances.
According to Austin Fire Chief Jim McCoy, the fire started on the first floor near the entrance to the stairway. He said the fire was “incendiary” and the house was a total loss.
No injuries were reported; however, Gold Cross Ambulance Service treated an officer for smoke inhalation.
According to the Mower County Assessor, Prestholt Properties, Inc. of Manly, Iowa, owns the property.
