Chief: Arsonist set house on fire again

GANGES TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - Authorities say it appears an arsonist returned to an already-burned house in Ganges Township and "finished the job."

The vacant house in the 1200 block of 68th Street in the rural Allegan County township was set fire again around 6:50 a.m. Thanksgiving, Ganges Township Fire Chief Doug Compton told 24 Hour News 8.

Compton said the Thanksgiving Day fire was definitely not a re-kindle. He said the fire was re-set. Compton said that the arsonist dumped gasoline on the outside of the house.

"There was a gas trail coming out to here," Compton showed 24 Hour News 8. "And it went right up to the side of the house."

That trail was set on fire and the flames soon spread to the house.

The house, which was being used by the homeowner for storage, was already about two-thirds burned in a Nov. 20 blaze.

"This wall here was standing; that back wall there, and this front wall," Compton explained.

But what was left of the house was destroyed in the second fire.

The Thanksgiving Day fire is the eighth labeled arson in a 1-mile stretch of 68th Street in the last two years. Set ablaze were three houses and a garage. Some were hit more than once.

"The house across the street from us burned; there was a farmhouse right across there that burned two years ago, and it's just been this stretch," said neighbor Jody Molesworth.

Two grass fires in the area were also arson, Compton said.

Authorities say all of the blazes may have been set by the same person.

Compton said the house set on fire twice was the last vacant home on the street. Authorities are now worried the arsonist may escalate to inhabited homes.

"That's our biggest fear," Compton said.

"We just leave our lights on and just hope nothing else happens around here," said Molesworth.

The chief said authorities have no idea who is behind the fires.

"If they're doing it just for the thrills, or if they've got a grudge against somebody on this road," he said. "We just don't know."

Firefighters spotted a suspicious white pickup truck in the area of the Nov. 20 fire. Authorities are investigating that lead and looking for more information about the truck.

Authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading the conviction of the person who set the fires. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Allegan County Sheriff's Department or Silent Observer.