News Release - On Sunday, January 15, 2017, at approximately 11:07 PM, Rice Lake Police Department responded to apartment complex located at 1030 South Main Street in the City of Rice Lake. Barron County Dispatch had taken a 911 call from an upset male subject who stated he had a bomb.
Upon arrival, officers approached the caller’s residence and heard a male yelling inside the apartment. Officers attempted to make contact with the subject, Joseph Zunker, 44, who threatened to blow everyone up. Officers began evacuated approximately 14 residents from the apartment complex and the Rice Lake Fire Department and Lakeview Medical Center Ambulance were requested to respond for standby.
A short time later, officers observed Zunker igniting a fire and an explosion occurred. Fire spread throughout the entire apartment complex and is a complete loss. Zunker was later located deceased inside his apartment. As a result of the explosion, one Rice Lake Officer received minor injuries from flying debris. He was treated Lakeview Medical Center paramedics and returned to duty. One citizen received minor injuries while be evacuated from the building. No other casualties or injuries resulted from this incident.
The Barron County Sherriff’s Department, Rice Lake Fire Department, Lakeview Medical Center, Life Link, Red Cross, and the Marathon County Bomb Squad all assisted on scene.
Read more over at WQOW: NEW INFORMATION: Cause of explosion may never be known, police say
Last Update: Jan 17, 2017 9:00 pm CST
