• News tips, submissions
• Questions, comments
• Contact webmaster

• Weekend chimney fire kept in check
• Alleged drunken driver goes on a tear

By Debbie Griffin, RiverTown Staff

The sharp eye and nose of a River Falls police officer helped avoid danger Saturday night when built-up creosote in the chimney of a home at 414 N. Second St. caught fire. Officer Jeff Sather smelled something odd and followed his nose to the home, where he saw smoke coming from between the chimney bricks.

Fourteen firefighters responded about 11:30 p.m. Saturday, finding that the fire was contained to the top of the chimney, the portion above the roof. Assistant Fire Chief Mike Moody said the flames shot up about two feet above the top of the chimney.

He said once firefighters knocked out the excess creosote, the fire extinguished itself.

Kathleen Baker said her family wasn't injured and her home wasn't damaged. She thinks a flue liner, which Moody said is a metal insert that runs the length of a home's chimney, helped contain the fire and prevented any further damage.

Baker said they'd started a small fire in a wood-burning stove to knock the chill out of their cool, damp basement.

Moody said about chimney maintenance, "Periodic cleaning is a good idea "

By Phil Pfuehler, RiverTown Staff

River Falls police pursued and finally caught up with a 19-year-old River Falls man who was doing burnouts and hit a traffic sign on West Cascade Avenue before piling into trash cans in an alley in the 300 block of North Fremont Street late Sunday afternoon.

The suspect was apprehended inside a house on Fremont where he had allegedly started fighting with an acquaintance inside. Officers were unable to subdue the suspect until he was shot with a Taser stun gun.

He was brought to the police station and given multiple citations. More charges are possible.