NEWS RELEASE
SAULT STE. MARIE POLICE
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On March 4, around 2:20 p.m., the Sault Ste. Marie Police and Fire Departments responded to the report of a fire within a motel room at the Mid City Motel located at 304 E. Portage within the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Upon fire department arrival, bystanders reported a fire to be extinguished and directed crews to a second-story motel room, which had light smoke and fire damage. Fire damage was confirmed to be extinguished, and adjacent rooms were checked to confirm no fire had spread. No one was injured during the fire.
Shortly after arriving on the scene, investigators took Luke Daniel Engle, a 45-year-old resident of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., into custody. On March 21, Engle was arraigned in the 91st District Court on first-degree arson with habitual offender fourth notice. Engle received a $500,000 bond, tether, and is currently on parole. Engle is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
This incident is an open and active investigation.
The Sault Ste. Mare Police and Fire Departments were and have been assisted by the Sault Tribe Police Department, Michigan State Police-Fire Investigation Unit, and Chippewa County Central Dispatch.
If anyone has information or tips about this incident, please contact Detective/Sergeant Darrell Harp at 906-632-5752 or [email protected].
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