Badger Man Charged For Role In Causing Apartment Fire

A Badger, Minnesota man is charged after a fire destroyed the Tamarack Apartment Complex last spring.

Sixty-six–year–old Laird Mertens is charged with one count of negligent fires.

The state Fire Marshall’s office found Mertens was grossly negligent after being warned he was in violation of fire codes and safety violations three years ago.

The March 2nd fire was started by an improperly installed heating unit.

More than a dozen people were left homeless.

Mertens will be in Roseau County Court on August 22nd.