Teens Held In Connection With Factory Fire
Nearby Buildings Evacuated
Posted: 5:21 pm CDT April 13, 2007Updated: 12:02 pm CDT April 14, 2007
JEFFERSON, Wis. -- Two teenagers have admitted setting paint on fire inside an unused furniture factory in Jefferson before it went up in flames, destroying the structure, authorities said.
SLIDESHOW: View Images Of FirePolice Chief Gary Bleecker said that smoke was reported to be coming from the northwest corner of the former Schweiger Furniture building at 4:20 p.m. on Friday.The Jefferson Fire Department responded to the scene, and departments from surrounding communities were called in to help fight the blaze, which also caused nearby buildings to be evacuated.The chief said that surveillance tape from the nearby former Tyson plant showed the teenagers walking into the Schweiger Furniture building and exiting around the time the fire began. Local authorities said they recognized the teenagers and, when questioned, the two 14-year-old boys admitted they were responsible.The boys said they were spray painting inside the building when they both lit wet paint on fire, police said. They said they thought the fire was out when they left the building.Authorities said they do not believe it was a case of intentional arson, WISC-TV reported. No injuries were reported.The former Schweiger Furniture factory has been vacant since it closed in 2004, laying off 130 people.At its peak, the factory employed more than 1,000 people. It had been in business for 105 years.Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for more information.
SLIDESHOW: View Images Of FirePolice Chief Gary Bleecker said that smoke was reported to be coming from the northwest corner of the former Schweiger Furniture building at 4:20 p.m. on Friday.The Jefferson Fire Department responded to the scene, and departments from surrounding communities were called in to help fight the blaze, which also caused nearby buildings to be evacuated.The chief said that surveillance tape from the nearby former Tyson plant showed the teenagers walking into the Schweiger Furniture building and exiting around the time the fire began. Local authorities said they recognized the teenagers and, when questioned, the two 14-year-old boys admitted they were responsible.The boys said they were spray painting inside the building when they both lit wet paint on fire, police said. They said they thought the fire was out when they left the building.Authorities said they do not believe it was a case of intentional arson, WISC-TV reported. No injuries were reported.The former Schweiger Furniture factory has been vacant since it closed in 2004, laying off 130 people.At its peak, the factory employed more than 1,000 people. It had been in business for 105 years.Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for more information. Copyright 2007 by Channel 3000. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
