Wisconsin Couple Charged With Arson After Brookview Mobile Home Fires Destroy Four Residences
LA CROSSE COUNTY, WISCONSIN — Two people have been arrested and charged after investigators say they were responsible for multiple trailer home fires at the Brookview Mobile Home Park near the Town of Shelby earlier this month.
The La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that four homes were damaged during the early-morning fires on October 1, which required a response from multiple fire departments across the region.
Couple Facing Multiple Arson-Related Charges
According to court records, 61-year-old John J. Galster has been charged with four counts of Arson of a Building Without Owner’s Consent, while 49-year-old Tabithe S. Mabb faces four counts of Party to the Crime of Arson.
Both suspects are accused of deliberately setting fires that spread quickly through the residential park, displacing several residents and causing extensive structural damage.
“This was a serious act of destruction that could have easily cost lives,” a La Crosse County investigator said Tuesday. “We are fortunate no one was killed in these fires.”
The sheriff’s office has not disclosed a possible motive but confirmed that forensic fire specialists with the Wisconsin Department of Justice are assisting in the case.
Four Homes Destroyed, No Injuries Reported
Deputies said the blaze began shortly after 2:30 a.m., with thick smoke and flames engulfing multiple mobile homes before crews were able to contain the fire.
Residents nearby described being awakened by the smell of smoke and seeing “orange light glowing through the windows.”
“It looked like half the court was on fire,” one neighbor told WXOW News. “You could hear the popping and see people running from their homes.”
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, though several families lost nearly all of their possessions in the fires.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities say the investigation remains active and ongoing, led by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation in partnership with the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office.
Fire investigators are reviewing surveillance footage, witness statements, and debris samples to determine exactly how the fires were started and whether accelerants were used.
Both Galster and Mabb remain in custody pending court hearings later this month.
This developing case underscores the devastating impact of arson and the tireless work of Wisconsin’s first responders. Stay updated on this investigation and other regional safety stories at ChicagoMusicGuide.com.