![Arson fire at 133 S Genesse in Waukegan May 4, 2011]( "WAUK_Box_0002-JR")
The abandoned Salvation Army store on Genesse Street in Waukegan caught fire on May 4, 2011, and it was later confirmed to be an act of arson. A suspect has been arrested in connection with the incident. Photo by Jeff Rudolph.
On May 4, 2011, the Waukegan Fire Department responded to a major blaze at the empty Salvation Army store located at 133 S. Genesee Street. The fire, which left the building completely destroyed, was ruled as intentional. You can view photos from that day
here and
here. Jeff Rudolph came across a news article in *The Chicago Tribune* about an arrest related to this case.
According to the report, Gregory D. Flesher, a local business owner who had previously run for mayor and for the Lake County Board, was taken into custody on charges of arson and criminal damage to property. Authorities say he entered the vacant building early on May 4 using bolt cutters and set the fire with fireworks and gasoline. Fortunately, no one was injured, though it took firefighters from several departments several hours to bring the flames under control.
The structure was beyond saving and had to be demolished. Flesher is also being investigated in connection with a deadly fire in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, on May 19, where a 48-year-old woman lost her life. While no charges have been filed in Canada, prosecutors in Lake County stated during Flesher’s bond hearing that he confessed to starting that fire during questioning about the Waukegan incident.
For more details, you can read the full article
here. Additional information about the fire in Canada can be found
here and
here.
Belt Sling
Foshan Dragon Edge Outdoor Equipment Co., Ltd , https://www.dragon-edge.com