As folks settled into their Thanksgiving plates, authorities say one Wisconsin man had a different idea of holiday plans. According to officials, 67-year-old Ora Wallace is now at the center of a fiery Thanksgiving scandal that has the whole community talking — and not in a “pass the macaroni” kind of way.
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Holiday Vibes Turned Into Straight Chaos
Authorities say the chaos kicked off around 3:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, when Vernon County’s 911 dispatch got a call about a mobile home on fire in Liberty. Deputies, Viroqua police officers, and four fire departments rushed to the scene, only to find the residence engulfed in flames. Thankfully, the family wasn’t inside at the time — they were reportedly in the middle of moving out. But firefighters had no luck saving the property. The home was a “total loss,” with photos showing collapsed walls and charred beams in place of rooms.
Suspicions Pointed Right Next Door To Wallace
Law enforcement wasted no time determining that something wasn’t right. Officials say it became clear quickly that someone had intentionally set the fire. And, all eyes turned to the man who lived directly across the road: Ora Wallace. Soon, investigators identified him as the suspect, and Wallace was arrested that same day and taken to the county jail. By 6 p.m., responders had cleared the scene, leaving behind a destroyed home and a whole lot of unanswered questions.
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No One Was Hurt… But Why This?
Sheriff Roy Torgerson released a statement thanking the emergency crews — many of whom are volunteers — for leaving their own Thanksgiving dinners to respond.
“I am extremely grateful that no one was hurt,” he said, while stressing that the incident “should never have happened.”
Meanwhile, Wallace is due in court Monday, but authorities haven’t revealed any information about his motive. For now, the community — and the internet — is left to wonder what led to this destructive Thanksgiving plot twist.
