N.D. Authorities Investigate Arson in Williams County

Williams County authorities are investigating more suspected arson fires northwest of this city.

Twenty acres of grassland and two old buildings burned Friday afternoon, about 20 miles northwest of Williston. Two days before, grass fires that appeared intentionally set had burned about 10 acres of grassland and damaged two old Quonsets, three old wooden grain bins and hay bales.

“It was the same farmstead as before. It looked suspicious to me,” Rural Fire Chief Dave Arnson said of the second fire. “It burned a small shop and a wood granary. One of the buildings had had fire damage before in the first incident.”

No injuries were reported in either of the incidents. The closest residential areas were about two miles away. Arnson said the potential for disaster still exists.

“With the extreme dry conditions, heat and wind this could be a very dangerous situation,” he said.