Detroit Arson Investigators Make Arrest in Apartment Fire

Detroit Fire Department Arson Unit investigators arrested an apartment building resident after a fire there forced about 100 people from their homes, four to area hospitals.

A 12-year-old girl, an elderly man and a Detroit firefighter were among those hospitalized for minor smoke inhalation from the 8:48 p.m. fire at the Chatham Apartments at 600 Pingree, Detroit Fire Arson Unit Lt. Dennis Richardson said today. The girl was released early today, and the others are expected to survive, he added.

But residents were ready to jump from the five-story building as smoke filled the complex and firefighters arrived. The fire began in the fifth-floor hallway, set in a pile of items stacked up near the suspect's apartment, Richardson said.

"Fire was in the hallway; it didn't get into the apartments," Richardson said. "There were people getting ready to jump, but nobody did."

Richardson and other arson investigators -- who also have police powers -- arrested the 53-year-old resident of the building after the man allegedly confessed to setting the blaze.

"He had been making statements that he was going to set the building on fire," Richardson said. "He's had a long dispute with management. The fire was right next to his apartment, it was actually stuff out of his apartment."

The suspect is being held pending charges issued by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.

Copyright 2012 - Detroit Free Press

McClatchy-Tribune News Service