Most of Detroit was without fire protection Sunday afternoon because a brazen arsonist set fire to four houses near 8 Mile and I-75 in Detroit.
In under 40 minutes, Gary Patrick Lewis, 55, is accused of setting those fires, which spread to two additional houses. The Wayne County Prosecutor’s office charged the Detroit man today with four counts of third-degree arson and two counts of second-degree arson.
Arson investigators captured the suspect trying to hide about 10 blocks away at a gravestone retailer at 661 E. 8 Mile.
More than 20 engines and trucks were called to four intentionally set fires that burned six houses, including an occupied home. That left downtown and most of the city without fire protection.
Firefighters were first called to Greeley and E. 8 Mile at 11:17 a.m. after someone set fire to a vacant two-story house. While responding, firefighters discovered a second vacant house fire a block away on Hull at 8 Mile at 11:38 a.m.
Just 14 minutes later, firefighters spotted another vacant house on fire a few blocks away. It would later spread to an occupied home. The last house was set afire a few minutes later.
At 12:30 p.m., about 10 blocks west on 8 Mile, fire investigators said they found the suspect.
“We just apprehended the suspect,” an arson investigator radioed in at the time.
No injuries were reported.
Arsonist blamed for 6 successive house fires in Detroit is charged added by Steve Neavling on
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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.
