Authorities charge pizza-place owner with arson

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A federal grand jury has indicted a man accused of burning down his pizza place in south central Wisconsin. An arson charge was handed down yesterday against 46-year-old Thomas Matje of DeForest.

Authorities said Matje set fire to Fat Boys Pizza in Lodi two days after Christmas last year. Two apartments above the restaurant were also damaged, and one resident was treated for smoke inhalation.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the blaze before recommending prosecution. Matje also faces three state charges of arson and reckless endangerment.

He's due back in Columbia County Circuit Court on March 16th. Matje operated the Lodi pizzeria for three years, and he opened a similar restaurant in McFarland last year.

Tags: business, crime, courts, wisconsin