A fire of suspicious nature destroyed a vacant building on Oconto’s Main Street early Sunday morning but did not spread to a home and business next door.
Fire Chief Jack Mlarnik said the fire at the former Danz Video building is being investigated by the fire and police departments as an arson case, because no ignition source existed in the building. Because the utilities were no longer hooked up, there was no heat source to start a fire, he said.
Oconto Fire and Rescue units were called to 808 Main St. at approximately 12:30 a.m. and immediately noticed a large amount of black smoke coming from all sides of the building. The two-story, wood-frame building had been vacant for at least two years. According to online tax records, the building is owned by VDZZ Plus Inc.
Due to the large size of the building — approximately 9,700 square feet — and surrounding businesses and houses, mutual aid was requested from the Pensaukee and Oconto Falls fire departments and Oconto Falls Area Ambulance Service. Thirty-five personnel from Oconto, Oconto Falls and Pensaukee responded.
It took two hours and more than 525,000 gallons of water to get the fire under control. Emergency units were on the scene for about 13 hours in hot and humid temperatures, but no injuries were reported.
Due to unsafe conditions, the building was torn down. The structure is valued at $71,977 and is a complete loss.
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