Sawyer County, Wisconsin investigators working to figure out what’s behind series of fires

Sawyer County, Wisconsin investigators working to figure out what’s behind series of fires

Sawyer County, Wisconsin investigators working to figure out what's behind series of fires

The Sawyer County, Wisconsin Sheriff’s Office along with Wisconsin Department of Justice are investigating four fires that have burned in the community over the last week.

“Every scene is considered a crime scene until proven otherwise,” wrote Sawyer County Sheriff Doug Mrotek in an email to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.

The latest fire, on Saturday morning, was discovered at DJ’s Mart gas station located on State Highway 27/70 in the Village of Radisson.

The store remained closed on Tuesday, as it was surrounded by yellow sheriff’s department tape.

This fire comes after three others were discovered a little more than a week ago.

“We were about a month from moving,” said Taylor Engholm — the family’s new home under construction burned in Radisson. “It’s a little tough explaining to your 5-year-old and 3-year-old that your house is burned down and someone did it on purpose.”

The family hoped to move in time for Christmas into the home on Weirgor Road.

On Nov. 18, the same morning as their fire, a residence on Gueldners Lane in Meteor also burned.

“They lost their place,” said Lynda Hajdasz, who lives in the area. “It’s just frightening to think that somebody is running around doing this.”

A third fire was reported almost two hours later at the Birchwood American Legion Post on Country Highway F in Edgewater, according to the sheriff’s office. That town is less than 18 miles away from both Meteor and Radisson.

A GoFundMe has been set up for one of the affected houses burned in the fires. If you would like to donate, please do so through this link.

The number of fires and their odd similarities have triggered an investigation by state and local officials. A map showing the locations of the fires can be found below.

Anyone who has information regarding the fires or noticed suspicious activity in the area during the time of the fire is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 715-634-4855.

A map showing locations of fires throughout Sawyer County that are being investigated.