Police Looking for Leads for Arson at Northfield Retirement Community

The Northfield Police Department is turning to the community for help to find a suspected arsonist who started a fire at the Northfield Retirement Community.

Deputy Police Chief Chuck Walerius said officers responded to a fire in a utility garage at the NRC on Sunday night. The fire in the standalone building was put out with extinguishers and Northfield firefighters helped clear the smoke.

Walerius said a window was busted to gain entrance in what was believed to be a burglary attempt but then turned into an arson. He said an accelerant was found.

The Minnesota Arson Hotline and their rewards program, which is run by the Minnesota Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, is offering a reward up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification of the person or persons involved. The number to call is 1-800-723-2020. Walerius said the caller can remain anonymous.

“We just need some leads as to whom might be responsible,” he said.

Walerius said it's important to capture the person or persons involved.

“One arson usually breeds another and breeds another,” he said. “We want to put an end to anything that might be starting up here. ... It’s not going to be something we tolerate in this city."

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