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Hearing postponed for suspect in fatal fire
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MONROE - A delinquency hearing has been postponed for a 16-year-old Monroe juvenile charged with arson and murder in connection with a house fire that resulted in the death of a Monroe man.

The hearing is rescheduled for 1:15 p.m. Oct. 15 before Lafayette County Circuit Court Judge William Johnston. It originally was scheduled for 3 p.m. today before Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer. No explanation for the change was given.

Unlike proceedings that involve adults, juvenile proceedings are not open to the public.

The 16-year-old juvenile was identified as the person who started the fire, according to Green County District Attorney Gary Luhman.

Detectives from the Monroe Police Department and the Wisconsin Department of Justice determined the fire at 2415 16th St. was not accidental.

The fire claimed the life of Jeffrey R. Sullivan, 37. Sullivan died Easter Sunday after a fire was discovered in the basement of his home at about 12:30 a.m.

Luhman said an autopsy revealed that Sullivan, who was found in the basement of the house, died from smoke inhalation.

Police officers tried to find a way into the home but couldn't because of smoke and flames. Kelley said the officers walked around all sides of the house but weren't able to find a way to get inside.

Monroe firefighters arrived at the scene shortly thereafter and entered the home. They located Sullivan with a thermal imaging camera.

Monroe Deputy Fire Chief Lane Heins said Sullivan was unconscious but breathing when located by firefighters.

Sullivan was taken to Monroe Clinic, but later died from his injuries.