Two arrested in Town of Paris fire

House and barn were unoccupied

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

A fire at a Town of Paris barn and house last week was intentionally set, according to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department, and two Kenosha residents face arson charges.

Damien Struble and Travis Delabio, both 21, were arrested Friday evening in a statement released by the Sheriff’s Department.

Travis Delabio
Delabio

According to online records, both are being held in Kenosha County’s pre-trial facility, pending likely charges of burglary, arson of building without owner’s consent and criminal damage to property.

Furthermore, Delabio faces a misdemeanor charge of bail jumping.

The Thursday morning fire in the 19400 block of Highway N, east of Highway 45, required mutual aid from multiple departments in Kenosha and Racine counties.

A passing motorist reported the fire at 4:51 a.m., the press release stated.

According to Paris Fire Chief Roland Iwen, the front door to the house was open when his department arrived at 5 a.m. He said firefighters noted several pieces of debris, including piles of wood.

Iwen said an accelerant was potentially used to set the fire that began in the barn and spread to the house.

Damien Struble
Struble

“The home has been unoccupied, and for sale for quite some time,” he said. “There was smoke coming from the door and was fully involved.”

Responding fire departments included Bristol, Kansasville, City of Kenosha, Newport, Salem, Paris, Pleasant Prairie, Somers, Wheatland, Silver Lake Rescue and the Racine Fire Bells – according the press release.

Town of Wheatland fire officials covered the Paris station while the agency battled the blaze, Iwen said.

Iwen said the homeowners were in Arkansas at the time of the blaze.

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department investigated the fire and obtained evidence, including footprints, Iwen said on Thursday.

“This arson investigation moved rapidly and two suspects were developed partially based on an item left at the scene,” the press release said.

It took 13 hours from containing the fire to concluding the investigation, according to Iwen.

The barn was a total loss and there was significant damage to the house’s basement, the release said.

Both Struble and Delabio are due for a March 1 preliminary hearing in Kenosha County Intake Court.


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