NUFD: Garage

fire was arson

Police, fire departments

offer rewards for tips

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Delila Maidl woke up to an unpleasant surprise early Wednesday morning when two boys knocked on her door to tell her the garage behind her house was on fire.

By the time she was aware of what was happening, it was too late to save anything.

"I just never expected anything like that to happen," Maidl said.

Inside the garage at 607 N. Broadway St. were a 1996 Dodge Intrepid and a 1995 Chrysler that belonged to Maidl and her daughter. Several other belongings inside the garage were destroyed by the fire.

New Ulm Fire Chief David Wolf said a rough estimate of the damage is about $30,000 to 40,000.

"It's definitely arson," said First Assistant Fire Chief David Christian.

Details on how the fire was started are unknown yet, but Wolf said the arsonist entered the garage through an unlocked door and started the fire in the southwest corner of the garage, about 3 or 4 feet above the floor behind one of the cars in a corner by a snow blower was stored.

"We're looking at an arson situation here," Wolf said.

About 35 firefighters fought the blaze for over an hour from both the alley and the back of the garage. A team of six firefighters entered the garage to aid the suppression of the fire. There were no injuries during the operation with the exception of a firefighter that sprained an ankle.

The fire was also witnessed by four New Ulm police officers. Corporal Dean Barstad said the department is still investigating the fire with the Fire Department. Neither the police nor the fire department have any suspects yet in the case.

NUPD Officer Allison Miller said the caller gave the identity of "citizen." The caller allegedly used a cellular phone to report the fire, according to a Fire Department source.

Both the New Ulm Police Department and Fire Department are offering a $2,500 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the arsonist.

Persons with information can call the New Ulm Police Department at (507) 233-6750 or the New Ulm Fire Department at (507) 359-8225. Authorities are also asking New Ulm residents, particularly those in the Maidl's neighborhood, to lock the doors to houses and garages.