La Crosse man accused of setting fires in tub, sink of George Street home

By On Jul 8, 2021

July 8, 2021 2:25 pm

Jourdan Vian

Posted: July 8, 2021 2:25 PM

Patrick Pedretti

LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WKBT) – A La Crosse man was charged with arson in La Crosse County Circuit Court Thursday after he was charged with setting fire to a convicted house on George Street.

Patrick J. Pedretti, 44, is charged with lighting two fires on two different levels of the house using baseball cards, cardboard, newspapers, photos, and other paper. One was in a bathtub on the second floor and another was in the sink, according to the complaint.

A neighbor called and reported the fire after seeing Pedretti run out of the condemned building Wednesday night. The fire department was able to report the fire and determine that no one was injured; however, the house was damaged. Fire investigators believe that the fire was started on purpose.

Pedretti first told the police that he fell asleep after lighting a couple of candles; However, evidence shows that one candle was never lit and a second was lit after being placed on its side in the sink next to baseball cards.

According to the investigators, there is evidence that Pedretti is struggling with mental health problems. He faces a fine of no more than $ 100,000 and a 40-year prison term related to the incident.