Potential Arson Investigation Underway After Stewartville Fires

Stewartville, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a pair of fires that broke out in Stewartville during the community’s homecoming weekend. 

Get our free mobile app

Sheriff’s Captain Tim Parkin said the first fire happened Friday night and the second fire was reported Saturday night. 

Parkin said a resident in the 700 block of 4th Ave. Southeast called dispatch around 9 p.m. They reported waking up to see a couch in their yard had started on fire. 

The second fire was reported around 10 p.m. Parkin said it appeared someone had lit a garbage can on fire near the restroom at Bear Cave Park. 

No injuries were reported in connection to either fire. Parkin said the fires are being investigated as arson since they involved pieces of property that appeared to have been lit on fire. 

He said it’s unclear if the fires are related. Parkin said the fires could be a homecoming prank, which he called dangerous. He said despite recent rains much of the area remains dry enough to allow fire to easily spread if its not put out in a timely manner. 

So far there are no suspects in either blaze.