Arrest Warrant Issued in Connection to Albertville Fire

An Otsego man who is already incarcerated on drug charges is now being tied by Wright County authorities to the March 16 fire that damaged more than a dozen units and caused thousands of dollars in damage at Stan’s Storage in Albertville the morning of March 16.

Thomas Robert Valentine, 34, Otsego, is wanted for first-degree arson, according to a warrant issued by the Wright County Sheriff’s Department.

Valentine is in the Sherburne County Jail awaiting trial on two unrelated controlled substance charges. He has not posted bail, which was set at $25,000.

The call came in around 1:50 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, after a deputy spotted the fire, said Albertville Fire Chief Tate Mills. When crews arrived, several units were "fully involved" and the men had to scramble to keep the fire from spreading. 

The building, which consisted mostly of sheet metal and no insulation to speak of, burned hot. Firefighters who weren't knocking down flames braved the heat to enter units and tried to rescue what was inside, including a small boat, furniture and toys. 

Officials almost immediately declared the area a crime scene.

"It looks pretty suspicious. We've had the Wright County Sheriff's Department here most of the morning, and other fire investigators from around the county have helped us look through the scene. It doesn't look good," Mills said.

The owner of the unit where the fire started, No. 70, was contacted right away, Mills said, and that person will be questioned. Management at Stan’s Storage contacted the owners of the 13 other units destroyed by the blaze.

The incident remains under investigation by the Wright County Fire Investigation Team, the Wright County Sheriff's Office and the State Fire Marshal's Office.

Anyone who might have information on the fire should call the Wright County Sheriff's Department at 763-682-1162.