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Family Upset Over Fire Believed to be Started by Meth

Posted at 1:38 PM, Jun 19, 2013
and last updated 2013-06-20 05:05:40-04

PORTAGE, Mich.– Police are asking anyone to come forward with information about what they’re calling a suspicious early morning house fire.

It happened around 3:15 Wednesday morning at a home, located at 5528 Deerfield Street. At last count, officers say there were close to a dozen people inside the home when the fire started. Everyone got out but took off.

Police say they got a warrant to search the home and found remnants of a meth lab.

The trustee of the home, and the sister of the homeowner, did not want to be identified. She is upset over the recent problems with the home. She said the house originally belonged to her late mother. It is now her brother’s.

She said ever since he invited his niece to come live with him, the house has been a revolving door, with countless problems.

“At last count, according to police, there are 17 people in the home,” said the woman. “Seven under the age of 12. CPS is involved. The house will obviously have to be condemned.”

Now, she’s fighting to get the house into her possession and has apologized to neighbors.

“We’re law abiding citizens. We’re the good guys. We’re fighting the process but it takes time and thousands of dollars in attorney fees that we don’t have.”

Police said this isn’t the first time they’ve been called out to the home. Just last week, they arrested the homeowner who barricaded himself inside. His sister claimed he was set up and only trying to protect himself. He was arrested and is currently in jail.

Police have yet to arrest anyone in connection with starting the fire.