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Redwood Falls man charged with murder

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Feb 5, 2013 at 6:26 am

REDWOOD FALLS, Minn. (AP) A Redwood Falls man is charged with murder and arson after a fire last month killed a 72-year-old man living in his apartment building.

Forty-eight-year-old Peter Warren appeared in court Monday on charges of second- and third-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter and 10 counts of first-degree arson.

Redwood Falls police and fire departments were called to a fire at the Lakeside Manor Apartment building on Jan. 24.

Crews found Gene Gilland unresponsive in his apartment. He was taken to a hospital but died from fire-related causes.

Redwood County Attorney Steven Collins says authorities believe Warren started the fire in a closet in the building's dining room. The motive is unclear.

The fire displaced all 52 residents of the building. Unconditional bail is set at $1.5 million.