A man is facing charges following a fire at Van’s Bar in Manitowoc.
According to Manitowoc Police Detective Erik Kowalski, the fire was reported to authorities at around 12:30 Monday morning, with crews arriving to find a detached structure near the bar in the 400 block of North 9th Street fully engulfed in flames.
Manitowoc Police Department investigators began looking into the situation the next day and collected video evidence, which identified a person of interest.
27-year-old Alex M. Braun was seen entering the bar and leaving shortly before flames were visible.
Braun was detained and questioned.
He told police that he had carelessly discarded smoking materials, which may have caused the blaze.
Braun is now facing charges of Arson, and Disorderly Conduct, but the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with any additional information on the incident is encouraged to call Detective Kowalski at 920-686-6584.
