SHAWANO CO. (NBC 26) -- Two men are facing multiple charges including arson and burglary after setting a home on fire in the Town of Hutchins.
The Mattoon Fire Department responded to a house fire at about 5 p.m. Feb. 29. Firefighters on scene believed the fire was intentional.
The Shawano County Sheriff's Office assisted in examining the scene with a K9. The K9 alerted them to the presence of accelerants.
The investigation lead to the arrest of Corey A. Welch, 34, and Bryan M. Wendler, 37, both of Mattoon.
The Sheriff's Office says Welch has been a member of the Mattoon Fire Department before resigning in January.
According to the release, Welch and Wendler went to the property to locate gold nuggets that were hidden by the previous owner and worth $20,000. When the nuggets were not found, the house was set on fire using diesel fuel the two brought with them.
The Sheriff's report says Welch had called 911 to report the fire. Welch also went to the Mattoon Fire Department and drove a fire vehicle to the scene, without the consent or authority of the Mattoon Fire Department.
Both men are facing multiple charges including arson, burglary, recklessly endangering safety and felony bailjumping.
The Sheriff's Office thanks the Department of Justice and the Mattoon Fire Department for their cooperation and assistance in this investigation.
