Reward Offered By Arson Investigators for Information on Apartment Building Fire

By: Stephanie Staudinger

Posted: Nov 13, 2016 11:13 AM CDT | Updated: Nov 13, 2016 11:19 AM CDT

WHITEWATER (CHANNEL 3000) - A reward is being offered for information about who is responsible for an apartment fire Wednesday night near the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus.

Firefighters from 28 departments were called to University Garden Apartments around 6:30 p.m. for reports of a fire at the multiunit complex, officials said.

The Wisconsin Arson Insurance Council is offering up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the people responsible for the fire, according to a release.

Officials said the fire was contained to the building, which will remain closed but has been released to the management company.

According to the release, residents can contact the company at 262-473-7087 to see if they can return to their individual apartments.

Officials ask anyone with information on the persons responsible to contact law-enforcement officials through the following methods:

Whitewater Police Department Detective Derrick Schleis at 262-473-0555 ext. 4
Wisconsin Arson Insurance Council Arson Hotline 1-800-362-3005
Call a tip into the Walworth County Crime Stoppers at 262-723-2677
Text a tip to the Walworth County Crime Stoppers by texting 274637 (CRIMES). Start your message with the agency keyword TIP4WC, and then enter your message.
Submit an online tip through the Walworth County Crime Stoppers at https://www.tipsubmit.com/webtips.aspx?AgencyID=1192

Donations can be made to the Red Cross at the Starin Park Community Building or the Whitewater Food Pantry, according to the release. The Congregational UCC Church will be taking clothing donations, and the Whitewater Unified School District will be accepting donations that can be dropped off at the central office.