Just over 14 months since a pair of buildings in downtown Waukon were heavily damaged by fires officials say were intentionally set, crews have begun bringing the remains of those structures down.
The Waukon Police Department has notified citizens and motorists to use extra caution in the 10 block of Allamakee Street as contractors work to remove both fire-damaged buildings. The street is down to single lanes of traffic.
On February 13, 2022, Waukon Police and the Waukon Fire Department responded to a structure fire at Tin, Rust, & Harmony at 9 Allamakee Street in Waukon. Decorah, Lansing and Waterville Fire Departments also assisted in battling the blaze, which took over a million gallons of water to extinguish.
An Iowa State Fire Marshal’s investigation led to a charge of first-degree arson, a Class B felony, against 43-year-old Mindy Jones of Waukon; who was also charged with animal abuse, an aggravated misdemeanor, because a canine died in the fire,
According to court documents, the State Fire Marshal determined two points of origin of the blazes and they were intentionally set. The criminal complaints also allege that Jones was present in her store within minutes of the fires starting and that she had financial motive to destroy the building and the business.
Earlier this month, Nathan Moonen, the attorney assigned to represent Jones, withdrew as her counsel due to a conflict of interest because he represents the owner of the dog that perished, and who was displaced from his apartment due to the fire.
Attorney Dan Key has been assigned as new legal counsel for Jones, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges and her trial is set for October 4th in Allamakee County District Court.
