The Minnesota State Fire Marshal is investigating possible arson at a Hardwick home.
The Rock County Sheriff’s Office received a call at 5:15 p.m. Monday to conduct a welfare check at 104 N. Ross Ave. where homeowner Deb Herrick expressed concern that her home may have been entered when she was out of town.
According to Sheriff Evan Verbrugge, Herrick said her neighbor who was watching the residence told her that her front door was open and unlocked.
Herrick then called law enforcement who noted the smell of burnt material and small fires had been set throughout the home and the Hardwick Fire Department was called as a precaution.
“We are in the middle of the investigation to determine if it’s a possible arson or not,” he said.
Caution tape was placed around the single-story home Monday night to preserve the scene until the fire marshal arrived Tuesday morning.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to talk with Verbrugge or sheriff office investigator Jeff Wieneke by calling the Law Enforcement Center in Luverne at 507-283-5000.