HOWARD — The Brown County Fire Investigation Task Force has determined the cause of a large fire that burned 12 apartments in the village at the beginning of October . The complex is still working through the rebuilding process, management officials said.
The fire started on the evening of Oct. 1 at the Northern Pines Apartment complex, 2012 Memorial Drive. According to Howard’s Fire Rescue Chief Dennis Staeven, it was caused by cigarettes and potting soil left on the balcony of one of the units.
At the time of the incident, Staeven estimated that the fire resulted in about $750,000 in damages.
The residents of seven of the 12 affected apartments were relocated to other available units, property manager Robert Gilbert said. The residents of four other affected apartments are staying with family members, and residents of the final apartment moved out of the complex.
The complex is working with its insurance company to rebuild the affected area, but it will be another three to five weeks before construction work can begin, Gilbert said.