ARGYLE - An Argyle man has been arrested and is facing a charge of arson in a house fire early Friday, Sept. 7 that claimed the lives of three of his children, officials said Sunday, Sept. 9. The children's uncle has also been arrested and is also facing an arson charge.
Armin G. Wand III, 32, of Argyle, was booked into the Lafayette County Jail and is facing a tentative charge of arson of a building with intent to defraud, a felony. His brother, Jeremy L. Wand, 18, of Argyle, was also arrested and is facing the same charge, according to a news release released jointly by the Argyle Police Department, the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department and the state fire marshal at the Division of Criminal Investigation.
The three boys who died as a result of the fire are Allen M. Wand, 7; Jeffery J. Wand, 5; and Joseph B. "Jo Jo" Wand, 3. Funeral arrangements for the children are pending at Erickson Funeral Home, Argyle.
Armin Wand's wife, Sharon Wand, 27, remained hospitalized in Madison in critical condition Monday morning. Sharon Wand is four months pregnant, her sister, Amy Peterson, told WKOW-TV in Madison.
The fire broke out just after 3 a.m. Friday at 402 Oak St. in Argyle.
Prior to his arrest, Armin Wand told WKOW-TV that he tried to fight the fire while his wife ran outside for help. He said by the time he realized the blaze was out of control, he couldn't reach his sons.
The couple's youngest child, a 2-year-old girl, survived the fire. The girl and Armin Wand were treated at a hospital after the fire and released.
The house is owned by Tom Zwicker of Monroe. Zwicker told The Associated Press Friday that he rented the home to a husband, wife and their four children, but he had no information about them.
Authorities said Sunday that no further information regarding the case is available; the investigation is ongoing.
Armin G. Wand III, 32, of Argyle, was booked into the Lafayette County Jail and is facing a tentative charge of arson of a building with intent to defraud, a felony. His brother, Jeremy L. Wand, 18, of Argyle, was also arrested and is facing the same charge, according to a news release released jointly by the Argyle Police Department, the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department and the state fire marshal at the Division of Criminal Investigation.
The three boys who died as a result of the fire are Allen M. Wand, 7; Jeffery J. Wand, 5; and Joseph B. "Jo Jo" Wand, 3. Funeral arrangements for the children are pending at Erickson Funeral Home, Argyle.
Armin Wand's wife, Sharon Wand, 27, remained hospitalized in Madison in critical condition Monday morning. Sharon Wand is four months pregnant, her sister, Amy Peterson, told WKOW-TV in Madison.
The fire broke out just after 3 a.m. Friday at 402 Oak St. in Argyle.
Prior to his arrest, Armin Wand told WKOW-TV that he tried to fight the fire while his wife ran outside for help. He said by the time he realized the blaze was out of control, he couldn't reach his sons.
The couple's youngest child, a 2-year-old girl, survived the fire. The girl and Armin Wand were treated at a hospital after the fire and released.
The house is owned by Tom Zwicker of Monroe. Zwicker told The Associated Press Friday that he rented the home to a husband, wife and their four children, but he had no information about them.
Authorities said Sunday that no further information regarding the case is available; the investigation is ongoing.