Officials say fire in Village of Rosendale appears to have been planned

VILLAGE OF ROSENDALE (WITI) -- On Sunday, April 7th, Fond du Lac County fire officials released more details on a house fire in the Village of Rosendale on Friday.

Officials say the body of a 54-year-old man was found inside a home at 200 N. Main Street -- and the fire appears to have been planned.

Officials evacuated the area around the residence, and set up a tactical perimeter around the residence. State Highway 26 was closed and traffic detoured.

Upon arriving at the residence, deputies noted the windows covered in black soot, a gas can outside the residence and a strong smell of gasoline coming from inside the residence. There was a cord running from the residence to the garage, to what was later determined to be fireworks.

The residence suffered significant fire damage and the body of Joseph Shafer was found in the residence.

On Monday, April 8th, the Fond du Lac County Medical Examiner said Shafer's cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.