No link to terrorism in Beaver Dam apartment explosion

BEAVER DAM - While details still are not quite clear surrounding a fatal explosion March 5 at Village Glen Apartments, authorities are extremely clear on one point.

"No known link to terrorism at this time — but we are still investigating," Beaver Dam Police Chief John Kreuziger said Monday during a news conference.

The department also would not confirm whether the person renting the apartment was the man killed in the explosion, as the blast itself is making it difficult for authorities to identify the individual, Kreuziger said.

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"We have to be 100 percent sure; we have to make sure we have identified this person," he said. "Until then, we cannot make any correlation at this time." 

Kreuziger reports daily contact with the FBI, adding that the investigation is still ongoing, and no additional information is available at this time.

A controlled burn of Village Glen Apartments' building 109, which suffered an explosion on March 5, a controlled detonation on March 7 and a smaller, accidental explosion on March 8, is set for Wednesday morning.

The building will be lit from both ends and allowed to burn, unfettered. It will, however, be monitored by the Beaver Dam fire department as well as 20 neighboring departments, Beaver Dam Fire Chief Alan Mannel said. 

The following roads will be closed starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday: Knaup Drive; Industrial Drive from North Spring Street to U.S. 151; and Spring from Industrial to Woodland Drive. U.S. 151 will be open to traffic during the burn, Kreuziger said. 

Mannel anticipated roads will reopen Wednesday evening, with a notice posted on the Beaver Dam Police Department Facebook page when that happens. Authorities also will restrict all air traffic within 2 ½ miles and 5,000 fee up.

Drones belonging to civilians and the media will not be allowed, but the fire department will have two of its own drones flying, equipped with thermal imaging cameras, so they can keep an eye on the heat level of building 109 and its neighbors. 

"When talking to the FBI, we describe the material as 'dangerous, bomb-making material, and it's embedded in the insulation and building material,'" Kreuziger said. "We believe this incident was single in nature, but it is still an ongoing investigation."

Mannel said it is very unusual to burn down a building to eliminate dangerous chemicals.

"This is new ground for all of us; we are consulting with a lot of experts," Mannel said. "Fortunately, there has only been one other incident like this in the country," leading the department to take the advice of state and federal authorities to heart.

Investigators don't know what the chemical is but think it's volatile and unstable, he said.

Residents will not be allowed to collect any personal effects left behind. 

"This has been a difficult, long and agonizing decision, and basically what it comes down to is 'life or property,'" Kreuziger said, noting the chemicals could even be set off by friction. 

As of 11 a.m. Monday, $4,444 has been collected to assist the 15 families displaced by the razing of the building. St. Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army, American Red Cross and other local organizations are helping residents.

An account has been opened for monetary donations, which may be made at any Horicon Bank in Dodge County. Checks should be made out to the Dodge County COAD/Beaver Dam Apartments. 

Should weather conditions make the burn unsafe, authorities will consider rescheduling, and they are in touch with the National Weather Service while planning the burn.