Valleyview Fire Intentionally Set, Police Say

The fire that forced the evacuation of roughly 40 residents at  and caused smoke damage throughout the Linden Street facility Sunday night was deliberately set, Northfield police said.

A 46-year-old male resident of the assisted-living facility admitted to setting the fire in a statement he gave to police, said Deputy Chief Chuck Walerius.

The man, who uses a wheelchair, has been placed on a psychological hold and is being evaluated at Hennepin County Medical Center today.

He has not been arrested, Walerius said.

Details of the investigation will be forwarded to the Rice County Attorney’s Office, possibly as soon as Tuesday, Walerius said. The county attorney would then make a decision on how to proceed, including whether or not to charge the man.

The investigation into the cause of the fire was wrapped up by investigators from the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division and Northfield Police Monday morning.

More details about Sunday night’s fire are available by .