Left, police say Roy Strait of Stevens Point confessed to starting a fire at his apartment on Monroe Street. (Courtesy of Portage County Sheriff’s Office)

By Patrick Lynn

A Monroe Street home has been destroyed in an early morning fire.

Metro Fire and Stevens Point police were called to a structure fire at 12:46 AM on Tuesday. Two people in separate apartments at 1900 Monroe Street were evacuated from the property and two other residents were not home at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported.

One of the residents, 39 year-old Roy T. Strait, was later located by authorities at a Division St. residence, where he then confessed to starting the fire. Strait told officers shortly before 3 AM Tuesday he poured gasoline around his apartment, lit it on fire and then left.

Strait has been charged with arson and is currently being held at the Portage County Jail.

According to a press release from SPPD, the extent of damage is “unknown at this time but appeared to be extensive.”

The State Fire Marshall is working with local authorities and the investigation is ongoing.