Arson Suspected In Lake Elmo House Fire

LAKE ELMO, Minn. (WCCO) – Authorities are investigating a house fire in Lake Elmo Wednesday morning that was believed to be set intentionally.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office received a report of a residential structure fire at about 4:14 a.m. Wednesday on the 5300 block of Lake Elmo Avenue in Lake Elmo. When authorities arrived, the homeowner was putting out the fire. He told fire officials that he believed it was arson. The homeowner said he heard several loud crashes and a vehicle sped away from the residence as he was calling 911.

Authorities said the fire caused minor damage to the residence and it was occupied during the incident. The fire is under investigation by the Washington County Sheriff's Office and the State Fire Marshal's Office.