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WALES, Wis. --

Officials in a small Wisconsin town say a tortoise is a primary suspect in a fire that erupted at a water installation and landscaping business.

Police believe Matilda, who served as a mascot for the store Aquatica, knocked a heat lamp into her cage, causing hay to catch on fire and spread, according to WITI.

Even though the building's structure remained intact, the tortoise didn't survive the ordeal.

"We lost our beloved turtle, a tortoise, Matilda. All of our neighbors, the whole village liked her, " said Dean Pipito, owner of Aquatica.

Officials say an investigation deemed the fire to be an accident.