Caledonia Argus

Arson report expected this week

Posted: 2/17/04

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

The Houston County Sheriffís Office plans on sending a report on its investigation into a suspected arson to the county attorney this week.

Sheriff Mike Lee said that his department was finishing up reports the fire that destroyed Money Creek Haven Campground Lodge on January 7, and would send them to attorney Rick Jackson on February 16.

ìWeíve interviewed a number of people,î Lee said. He also spoke recently with Minnesota Deputy State Fire Marshall Steve Wolf, who is coordinating the investigation.

But neither Lee nor Jackson knew when the Wolfís report would be ready. Jackson said on February 13 that he could only assume itís in the process of being completed at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension laboratory in St. Paul.

Wolf did not return a February 13 phone call from The Caledonia Argus.

Arson investigations can take months to complete, Jackson said.

A Houston man, Mark Heintz, was arrested at the scene of the Money Creek fire, where he was living at the time. He was held for probable cause for arson, but was not charged. He is currently in the Houston County Jail on unrelated charges.

The lodge, which is being leased by Wayne and Carla Fitting, has reopened in the summer recreation building in the campground, which is located three miles north of Houston.

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