WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The victims of a deadly house fire in the Town of Day have been identified.
Sheriff’s officials announced on Thursday that 44-year-old Tanya Rodriguez and 52-year-old James Carolfi were electrocuted while working on a fractal wood burning project in the garage.
Chief Deputy Chad Billeb says evidence shows the couple was working on the craft project which involves soaking a piece of wood in some chemicals, then using an electric current to burn a pattern in the wood. “It is a very dangerous process. You take a microwave oven apart and remove the power supply, run it through jumper cables to nails that are in the board.
“We have evidence that supports that they were in the process of using those tools when they died and that those tools caused the fire,” added Billeb.
The art form has become popular in some circles on social media sites like TikTok and YouTube. But given the dangerous process involved officers say it should only be conducted by trained professionals who have the proper protective gear. “No one should be doing this unless they have the proper equipment and training to do so. Taking advice from YouTube or any other social media site to create a craft item is not safe when you are dealing with electricity.”
State Pathologists add that the process has caused deaths in other areas of the state as well.
“It is a danger. People have died in our local community and in other parts of the state. We want people to stop doing it,” added Billeb.
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Due to the nature of the fire, they were not able to positively identify the victims until this week. Friends and family were notified on Wednesday before Thursday’s press conference.
Officers add that the investigation remains active but they have enough information to positively determine the cause of death and the cause of the fire. Foul play has now been ruled out, and the incident has been classified as an accident.
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