Officials call fire in rural building intentional

Law enforcement asks public for information

    A fire Saturday evening at a rural storage building has been ruled intentional following an investigation by the Clear Lake Fire Department and State Fire Marshall’s Office.
    The CLFD was called to a structure fire at the intersection of Jonquil Avenue and 263rd Street, just east of Clear Lake, at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. The fire was reported by a Clear Lake police officer on patrol.
    When they arrived nine minutes later, firefighters found heavy fire on the main floor of the building with extension into the attic space.
    The building, owned by Furleigh Farms of Clear Lake, was used for storage of landscape and horticulture supplies by a nearby business. Due to the extenisve amount of materials inside the building, a great amount of work was required by 12 firefighters operating in three companies to overhaul the burning materials inside the building.
    The building and its contents are considered a total loss.  No injuries were reported.
    A press release issued by the CLFD Monday, Oct. 22, stated that after an initial investigation, accidental causes for the fire were ruled out and evidence obtained at the scene suggests the fire was intentionally set by a unknown person or persons.
    Officials are asking the public’s assistance with any information regarding this fire.  Anyone with information is asked to contact any of the following agencies:
    •Clear Lake Police Department, 641-357-2186
    •Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, 641-421-3000
    •Arson Hotline, 1-800-532-1459
    •Cerro Gordo Crime Stoppers, 1-800-383-0088