02-09-2004 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Arson suspected in barn fire in Orbno on June 8 Ou-ner hopes someone StW something B y Annt Wilblh Sur S€As;ape ‘S It was supposed to be a week of celebration, but when Sharon Guimond s barn burned down and arson was suspected, the mood changed. Guimond. Orono, walks around the ashes and the black ened remains that outline the 40- by-60 foot perimeter of the once red barn that stood at the back of her property at 2900 Watertown Road. Walking up to it. visitors can see and smell the blackened roof shingles now lying the ground. There is a row of cow stanchions that hadn't been used for somet jne the remains of a car. and Guimond s beat. She locks at the charred rc mams of the boat and says. “Can you believe it'’ It was the first time m 22 years that I decided to not put Lie bwat on the lake ‘ The barn burned dowm early in The morning on June 8. After cele brating her younger daughter s graduation from high school. Gui r was in Mankato that Sun (, aorning to celebrate her cider daughter s wedding, she says. A neighbor. Sus?n Sampson, had been taking care of the Gui- n. :nd’s dog. who was left outside ca his clothes I ,ne run that was suspended between the garage and the barn, Guimond says S^un^son checked the dog at about 10 30 p.m. that Saturday night. At nidn'ght another neighbor re- me.mbers getting up and looking out at the barn. Wlien that same neighbor woke again at 5 a ,m. the barn was in flames. Guimond says. The neigh bor ran to the Sam.psons. One called the fire department while the other saved the dog. whose l».‘ash had caught on a tree nea: ihe barn No animals were kept in the earn. Guimond says. The fam,l> i<ed the barn as a game and pa: t> room and to store equipme.nt. The Long Lake Fire Depart ment was there about 3 lO. says fc.v.rg Lake Fire Chief Brad RcehL but the build mg had already :ol- lapsed The firefighters could only contain it and try and protect nearby trees. The Maple Plain Fu-e Depart ment also assisted w :th the fire he said The deoartment used about 50.000 ihousa.id g.Uions of water and f.am and worked until 10 a m.. he sa>s Tne fire -v .iil.-ued to smolder for another 24 hours. Officer Jim Cornick v.ndi the Orono Police Deparument i».as as signed to investigate and Ron Bafi- FIRE: To Page loA The barn cn the Guimond prope.ly on V/alertown Road m Orono burred down June 0. Authorities suspect arson In the fire. The family used the barn for parties and to store equipment. Afte'’ the Guimond barn bu.'r.cc! down in Orono. authorities Cegan tc s-scect arson, "^he far* . s asking Ih.: anyone who may have seen suspicious activities near i.ne bar^ before : a n. Sunday. June 8. re: :*t to t^e Orcr Police. \ HALF THE PRICE O STC-. £ ISuu 5jj0rt.'5 w EXHIBIT F