Fatal Hales Corners house fire ruled arson-suicide

CBS 58 Photojournalist Jeremy Ferris

On Monday, July 31, 2017, at approximately 4:40/AM, Greendale and Hales Corners Combined Dispatch received a report of smoke coming from a residence at 12300 West Edgerton Avenue in the Village of Hales Corners.

Responding units from Hales Corners, Greendale, Franklin, New Berlin, and Greenfield Fire Departments found a residential home fully involved in fire.

Within about an hour they were able to bring the fire under control. Fire Incident Command determined the cause the fire to be suspicious in nature and requested police assistance.

Hales Corners Police conducted a sweep of the property for any additional damage or injured persons and discovered a second structure on the property in a hazardous condition. A check of the structure for the same reason revealed the presence of a deceased male subject.

Hales Corners Police requested additional assistance from the State Fire Marshall’s office, the Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The investigation has ruled the fire as Arson. The deceased male located on scene died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and is suspected of perpetrating the offense.

The identity of the deceased male is yet to be determined.

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