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Meyer Building fire determined to be arson
1-28 arson
Damage caused by the fire at the Dr. Kilian Meyer Building in Krouskop Park.

The Richland Center Police Department and the Richland Center Fire Department have concluded their investigation into a fire that occurred at the Dr. Killian Meyer building in Krouskop Park on January 17.

According to Chief of Police Lucas Clements, at approximately 2:23 p.m. on January 17, police and fire departments were dispatched to the Dr. Kilian Meyer building located in Krouskop Park for a report of a fire. Officers from both departments responded and initial information indicated that a fire had occurred inside both the men’s and women’s restrooms of the building. 

According to Fire Chief Bob Bindl, responders found that the interior of the bathrooms had experienced a fire which had self-extinguished, with the majority of the damage occurring in the men’s restroom. Fire Chief Bob Bindl noted the fire caused extensive smoke damage throughout the building.

According to City of Richland Center Parks, Recreation and Grounds Director Shane Stibbe, who has been working with insurance adjusters throughout the past week, preliminary estimates concerning damage caused by the fire are at a minimum of approximately $70,000.

Chief Clements reports that on January 20 a Richland Center Police Department officer received a tip with information concerning the fire and passed the information on to the investigating officer. 

Following up on this tip, the investigating officer, through interviews and timely police work, found that three juveniles were responsible for setting the fire. The juveniles, two from Richland Center and one from Lone Rock, have been referred to Richland County Health and Human Services for the crime of arson.

Assisting with the investigation were: Richland Center Fire Department; City Parks, Recreation and Grounds Department; and Richland County Health and Human Services.

Chief Clements states, “This is a prime example of how our community stepped up, took pride in what we have as a community, and provided information with the departments listed above to help solve an investigation and ultimately make our community safer.”