ONONDAGA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) -- A 32-year-old former firefighter has been charged with setting a fire in the community where he worked. He is suspected of setting dozens of other fires.
John L. Gray, 32, of Mason faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of four counts of arson. He worked for Onondaga Township Fire Department near Lansing in 1990-1999.
Gray was under surveillance Tuesday when he set a grass fire, Ingham County Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth told the Lansing State Journal on Thursday.
The fire endangered a trailer and livestock structures, police said. Detectives also are investigating whether Gray was involved in 200 to 300 suspicious fires, including more than 90 grass fires and 15 abandoned structure fires, in that community, Leslie and Rives Junction.
''We believe that Mr. Gray is one of the most prolific arsonists ever to strike this region,'' Wriggelsworth said. Gray was arraigned Wednesday and was being held in the county jail on $1 million bond.
A jail guard said Friday that Gray could not receive telephone calls.
A preliminary hearing to decide if there is enough evidence for trial is set for Thursday in Mason District Court.
Information from: Lansing State Journal
