Man suspected of setting hundreds of fires in Detroit charged with arson

A Detroit man accused of lighting hundreds of fires because of a long-held grudge with firefighters was charged Wednesday with arson and resisting arrest.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy charged Anthony Fields, 26, in connection with five fires that were intentionally set between 12:55 a.m. and 6:27 a.m. in a small area bordered by Woodward and 7 Mile.

Fields was arrested after authorities spotted him at the last fire on the 600 block of Robinwood.

Fields told investigators that he started hundreds of blazes because he as angry that firefighters didn’t let him see his brother after he was electrocuted, according to Fox 2 News.

Firefighters have been overwhelmed with arsons in the area. Since May 20, 23 vacant houses and three abandoned apartments were intentionally set ablaze between Woodward, 7 Mile, John R. and E. McNichols.

We’ve documented the arsons since they began May 20, when five houses and an apartment building were intentionally set ablaze.

Police continue to investigate Fields’ involvement in other arsons.

Authorities had information on the suspect as early as June 6 but firefighters couldn’t get police or arson investigators to respond because both are drastically understaffed.

  Arrest, Arson, Charges, detroit, fire, Firefighters, Investigation, Jail, Kym Worthy, police, Prosecutor, Robinwood, Woodward

Steve Neavling

Steve Neavling lives and works in Detroit as an investigative journalist. His stories have uncovered corruption, led to arrests and reforms and prompted FBI investigations.

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