Couple charged with insurance fraud in 2018 home explosion in Montgomery

Insurance fraud charges have been filed against a couple in connection to a 2018 home explosion in Montgomery.

The Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office said Christopher and Isabella Hale are each charged with multiple counts of insurance fraud and one count each of conspiracy to commit arson.

The sheriff’s office said Christopher Hale, of Lakeville, owned a home in the 100 block of Third Street Southwest in Montgomery when it exploded on July 17, 2018, destroying the house and extensively damaging a neighboring home. At the time, the house was vacant and had been posted for sale.

After the fire, officials located evidence of flammable liquids in the home and determined the fire was arson. However, at the time of the fire, Christopher and Isabella were in the Boston area. When they returned, Christopher met with police and denied any involvement in the fire, according to the sheriff’s office.

A short time later, Hale submitted a claim to State Farm for about $360,000 for the damaged property.

Through the investigation, law enforcement collected evidence and witness statements involving Christopher and Isabella, as well as a third person — a 30-year-old man employed at Hale’s Minnesota Kitchens Company, who investigators believe set the fire while the Hales were in Boston. However, the 30-year-old man was found dead in Santa Monica, California last year.

Additional evidence was collected in February 2021 after investigators executed a search warrant at the Hales’ home in Dakota County.

A court date for the Hales hasn’t been set at this time.