Caledonia Argus

Arson investigation still underway in Money Creek lodge fire

Posted: 1/27/04

No arson charges have been filed yet for the fire that destroyed Money Creek Haven Campground Lodge on January 7.

Minnesota Deputy State Fire Marshall Steve Wolf is coordinating the investigation. He did not return a phone call from the Caledonia Argus.

Houston County Sheriff Mike Lee said on January 22 that the fire marshallís report will go the county attorney, who will decide whether charges will be filed.

ìI have no idea how long itís going to take him,î Lee said.

Houston County Attorney Rick Jackson said on January 21 that arson investigations can take months to complete. He said the work is done at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension laboratory in St. Paul.

A Houston man, Mark Heintz, was arrested at the scene and held for probable cause, but he was not charged. He is currently being held in the Houston County Jail on unrelated charges.

Lee said his department is still interviewing people on the lodge fire and other cases related to Heintz.

There are a lot of variables in an arson investigation, Lee said. For example, investigators need to get information from the company that made the heaters in lodge, and do laboratory analysis of things taken from the fire.

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.

Top of Page