Charges pending in Outing cabin fire

   Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch reports that on Monday, January 31st 2022 at 5:31 a.m., the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a structure fire on Peninsula Road in Crooked Lake Township, rural Outing, MN. Responders arrived on scene and found a cabin fully engulfed in fire, as well as a full-size pickup on fire near the shoreline of Lake Washburn. Fire personnel and Deputies located forced entry to a garage with living quarters on the property. An adult male, Tyler Opatz, age 36 of Sartell, MN, was located inside the garage and taken into custody. Formal charges are pending.

   The initial investigation indicates that Opatz has no connection with the property. A search of Lake Washburn indicates the male spent some time on the lake. Deputies also located an additional property that Opatz may have been at. The cabin and pickup are a total loss. The investigation continues with the assistance of the State Fire Marshall’s Office.

   Assisting at the fire scene were Crooked Lake Fire Department and Emily Fire Department.