Advertisement
The fire was first reported at 7:43 p.m., at a two-story rental property at 453 E. Second St. The Winona Fire Department arrived two minutes later and discovered the fire appeared to have been “working some time” before the call, Assistant Fire Chief Jim Multhaup said.
 |
A fire started at 10:20 p.m. Sunday at 453 E. 2nd St. in Winona. No one was injured but Nicholas Christopher Guy, 53, was cited for disorderly conduct and obstruction of a fire scene after he ran inside the burning house to retrieve his computer. (Photo by Paul Solberg/Winona Daily News) |
No injuries were reported in the fire as two first-floor tenants escaped the flames, Multhaup said. He said no one lived on the second floor.
One of those tenants drew the attention of the Winona Police Department about 10:20 p.m., however. Officers were dispatched to calm down Nicholas Christopher Guy, 53, who was “obviously intoxicated” and upset about the fire, Winona Police Sgt. Gary Hoeppner said. He said Guy was warned to calm down and stand back so the firefighters could do their jobs.
Guy complied “for a while” but ran inside when no one was watching him and retrieved a computer, Hoeppner said. Multhaup said Guy wasn’t injured when he ran back inside but required some assistance to get back out.
Police then cited him for obstructing a fire scene and disorderly conduct because he “jeopardized the safety” of numerous emergency personnel, Hoeppner said.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze and left the scene at 12:30 a.m. Monday. The home sustained “significant structural damage” to both floors, Multhaup said. He said the fire appeared to have been electrical and started near a ceiling light on the first floor and spread to the second floor and attic.
Maulthaup said the rest of the house sustained heavy water and smoke damage. The remains of the house are charred and the roof appears to be caving in. Insurance companies will make the final determination on whether the house is a complete loss, Multhaup said.
Contact Kevin Behr at (507) 453-3524 or at kbehr@winonadailynews.com.
catus wrote on May 12, 2009 10:13 PM:
real estate "