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Officials: 2 Fires In White Bear Lake Were Set Intentionally

WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. (WCCO) – Authorities in White Bear Lake were kept busy battling a pair of fires early Saturday morning, and they believe both were intentionally set.

A fire near in a vacant field near the White Bear Lake water tower caused signifcant damage to a 20 foot x 20 foot shed. Crews responded to the scene at about 2 a.m. near Centerville Road and Highway 96 on a report of smoke in the area near the water tower. When authorities arrived, they found a shed on fire and strong winds carried the fire to nearby grass around the structure.

Peltier said there was also a grass fire near Otter Lake Road and Highway 96 covering about a 30 foot x 30 foot area. Authorities said they believe the fires were intentionally set by a suspect who is known to police, but that person is not in custody at this time. 

Authorities said nobody was injured in the fire and no residential homes were damaged, but Peltier said high winds helped spread the fire rapidly.

Authorities are still searching for the suspect at this time.

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