Thanksgiving Tragedy: Man Sets Neighbor’s Home Ablaze, Police Report

In a startling incident on Thanksgiving Day, a man from Wisconsin allegedly torched his neighbor’s residence, leaving it completely unlivable.

The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 67-year-old Ora Wallace, who is suspected of arson. The release also mentioned that Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher will decide on pressing formal charges.

At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, the sheriff’s office received a 911 call reporting a mobile home engulfed in flames on County Road SS in Liberty. Responders included deputies, the Viroqua Police Department, and units from four fire departments and rescue teams.

Fortunately, the home was unoccupied, as the family was in the midst of relocating and not present when the incident occurred. Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze, but the home was declared a total loss.

Photographs of the aftermath revealed severely damaged walls and scorched structural beams.

Authorities quickly concluded that the fire was deliberately set. Wallace, residing just across the street from the devastated home, was identified as the primary suspect by investigators.

The defendant was then arrested and placed in the county jail.

All of the firefighters and law enforcement officers left the scene by 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving.

“I am extremely grateful that no one was hurt,” Sheriff Roy Torgerson said. “Although this should never have happened, I would like to thank everyone who responded. I appreciate our Sheriff’s Office team and all emergency services, many of which are staffed entirely by volunteers.”

“When you should have been enjoying Thanksgiving Day with your families, you answered the call to serve our community without any reservation,” the sheriff added.

Wallace is expected to appear in Vernon County Circuit Court on Monday.

Authorities have not revealed what they believe his possible motive may have been.