State Fire Marshal investigating Oronoco garage fire as possible arson

(ABC 6 News) — The fire happened at the same home that caught fire in July. An elderly woman died in the July fire. This time, the fire was in the garage.

Fire crews were called to the 700 block of 5 St. NW in Oronoco just before 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 28. When crews got there, the garage was already collapsed and engulfed in flames. There was also a 2015 Chevy Impala inside the garage that was destroyed.

The Olmsted County Sheriff’s office said at this time it appears the fire was set intentionally.

According to the sheriff’s office, this was a detached garage. The home burned down in July 2021 and an elderly woman died in that fire. The Chevy Impala that was inside the garage of the most recent fire belonged to that woman.

Deputies noticed power lines hanging down in the area of the garage fire and contacted People’s Energy Cooperative, which confirmed power was shut off to the property.

Both the Oronoco and Pine Island Fire Departments responded to the fire.

Because there were two fires within a few months of eachother, crews called in the State Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate.