STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WFRV) – A 21-year-old Wisconsin man was taken into custody for allegedly starting a residence on fire not once but twice.
According to the Stevens Point Police Department, shortly before midnight, officers alongside the Stevens Point Fire Department were sent to the 1600 block of Main Street for a report of a structure fire.
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Authorities arrived on the scene and quickly located a fire that a resident had extinguished. Officers reported that moments later, a second fire was located upstairs in a bedroom in the same residence.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames without issues, and police noted that one resident was home at the time of the fire and was forced to evacuate without injury.
During the investigation, it was determined the fire was a result of arson from another resident, identified as Eric J. Blum, 21. Blum was last seen leaving the residence when the fire was reported, and he was arrested around 30 minutes after the flames were extinguished.
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Charges have been referred to the Portage County District Attorney’s Office on Blum for arson and 1st Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety. Court records show Blum has not been formally charged at this time.
No additional details were provided.
