HAYWARD, Wis. (WJMC) — Seven fires in Sawyer County could be linked to arson, according to details released in court documents last week.
The Sawyer County district attorney filed a criminal complaint Oct. 28 against 30-year-old Thomas L. Olson, of Birchwood, charging him with two counts of felony arson of DJ’s Mart and Chippewa Valley Bank, in Radisson last November.
Last fall, authorities were investigating six fires between November 18 and 27, 2024, that damaged two homes under construction, one unoccupied residence, DJ’s Mart, Chippewa Valley Bank and the Birchwood American Legion. Police said surveillance video showed a suspect setting the fire at DJ’s Mart with a gas can and, later, throwing a flaming object onto the roof of the bank. The bank building did not fully catch fire but was damaged.
A tip line and security camera video were released, and seven people called in tips saying they recognized Olson in the video. Another person told police that Olson told her he burned down DJ’s Mart.
On October 7, this year, a fire was reported at a new home under construction and police suspected arson with gasoline. A witness to the fire saw a car speed away from the area, which police said looked like the same car Olson had used to buy containers of gas at DJ’s Mart the evening before.
After his arrest on October 10, police said Olson had what appeared to be minor burn injuries to the back of his hands.
He will appear in court again on Friday, Nov. 7.