CALEDONIA TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The son of a man who collapsed outside his burning home last month has been charged with arson and assault with intent to murder.
Tom Chehowski III was arrested on Wednesday in connection to the fire. Court records show investigators believe Chehowski poured gasoline in his father's room just before the fire began.
On Sunday, June 28, the family's home near Campau Lake caught fire, suffering severe damage. As firefighters battled the blaze, the 77-year-old father collapsed in the backyard, not far from the flames, according to witnesses and the Kent County Sheriff's Office. Deputies started CPR, restoring his pulse and breathing before he was rushed to the hospital.
The 77-year-old remains in the hospital in critical condition, according to the sheriff's office.
Kent
Man hospitalized after house fire near Campau Lake in Caledonia
Later, investigators from the Plainfield Charter Township Fire Department, Cascade Township Fire Department, and the Michigan State Police K9 Team determined the fire started in the 77-year-old's bedroom.
Court documents obtained by FOX 17 revealed investigators began to pinpoint inconsistencies into the story of how the fire started.
Chehowski III told deputies on the day of the fire that he and his dad had been in an argument earlier over a gas can, with the younger Chehowski claiming he brought the gas can into his father's room to show it did have gas in it.
The 54-year-old told investigators he left the gas can in the room, went to get dinner and spent time at two nearby parks before returning around 11:30 p.m. to find flames stretching out of his dad's window, according to court records.
The fire marshall could not find evidence of a gas can in the charred remains of the home, per court documents. Instead, a gas can was found in the attached garage, where no gas-powered tool was stored. Investigators noted the gas-powered tools on the property were all located in a detached garage.
Investigators also identified gasoline residue in the father's room, especially around the spot where his chair was located.
Later interviews with detectives produced slightly different stories from Chehowski, claimed investigators. The 54-year-old admitted to pouring the gas in the room, but claimed "I did not light it," per the court records.
Investigators determined the lack of an explosion with the start of the fire meant the gas was not in the room for hours like Chehowski claimed, but just minutes, reducing the build up of fumes in the home.
On Wednesday, June 8, the Kent County Prosecutor's Office authorized charges against Chehowski. Police tracked down the 54-year-old in Gratiot County to arrest him.
The 77-year-old victim is Chehowski's father, investigators said, and both men lived at the home in Caledonia Township.
Investigators are still accepting information about the fire. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kent County Sheriff's Office at (616) 632-6125. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345.
