State Fire Marshal Assisting in Investigation of School Fire in Oconto Falls

MADISON — On February 21, 2012, at 6:34 p.m., the Oconto Falls Fire Department responded to a fire at St. Anthony Catholic School, located at 253 North Franklin Street, in Oconto Falls.  With the assistance of the Gillett, Lena, and Green Valley Morgan Fire Departments, firefighters were able to suppress the fire.

No one was inside of the school at the time, and no one was injured.  The first floor suffered significant damage. No damage estimate is yet available.

At the request of the Oconto Falls Police Department and the Oconto County Sheriff’s Department, the Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is assisting in an investigation into the fire’s cause.  This investigation is open and ongoing. Initial investigative results indicate the fire was not accidental.

Today, local officials took an individual into custody. No further information about the individual is being released at this time. No charges have been filed.

St. Anthony Catholic School classes have been moved indefinitely to Grace Lutheran Church in Oconto Falls.

A defendant enjoys a presumption of innocence.  The State must prove its allegations at trial.