Michael Joseph Bourgeois
BLAINE – (April 28, 2022) – Blaine Police have arrested a man they say lit a house on fire Wednesday afternoon.
According to the criminal complaint, 23-year-old Michael Joseph Bourgeois was seen by neighbors entering the backyard at 10717 Lincoln Street NE, just after 2:00 p.m. Once he was there, the neighbors saw him throw something at the house, causing it to catch fire. Neighbors called 911 and told officers where they could find the man.
Police say that Bourgeois faces charges of first-degree arson and setting a dwelling on fire using an accelerant. He is in the Anoka County Jail.
According to SBM Interim Fire Chief Dan Retka, a second fire started at the same home about 12 hours later – around 3 a.m. on Thursday. That’s when insulation in the attic rekindled, taking out the upper part of the home.
Police say no one was home at the time and there were no injuries.
