Two fires were investigated Tuesday in Austin.

Wednesday, August 16, 2000

Two fires were investigated Tuesday in Austin.

Gina Marie Sladek, 31 of 1405 Fourth St. SE, reported a fire at 9:35 p.m. Tuesday.

When Austin Fire Department firefighters arrived, the fire had been extinguished by a fire extinguisher.

According to an Austin Police Department report, the fire apparently spread from lit candles on a table to window curtains before scorching a wall and ceiling.

Firefighters ventilated the home.

The report was made for insurance purposes, according to the victim.

Boys implicated in fire

Two boys are implicated in a fire apparently set in a stairway at the Reeves Chiropractic Clinic, 305 Fourth Ave. NW.

Firefighters and police responded at 6:25 p.m. Wednesday and were met by a clinic employee, who said the fire was confined to the stairwell and extinguished on the scene by a fire extinguisher.

Witnesses reported seeing two boys, ages 12 and 7, who had constructed a fort from building materials at the scene.

While officers and firefighters were there, two boys rode up on bicycles. They were dirty and smelled of smoke, according to the police report. When questioned, they admitted starting the fire.

The boys were released to their parents, pending possible charges.

Squad car totaled in chase

The Mower County Attorney is reviewing evidence collected in a high-speed chase that resulted in an Austin Police Department vehicle being destroyed.

According to police, a 16 year old Lansing youth is implicated in the crime, but has not been charged.

Officer Rene Phan pursued the red Beretta seen traveling at a high rate of speed in the city. The chase took the officer into the Lansing Township countryside, where he lost control of the vehicle.

Austin police say the youth could be charged with felony fleeing a police officer and reckless driving and that restitution may also be sought for the police car totaled in the mishap.

Officer Phan was uninjured.