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According to Sheriff Bill Artress, Crandell has been arrested for arson of insured and personal property. An investigation into other fires involving Crandell continues, according to KSO.

According to Dan Caviston, Kalkaska County EMS coordinator, Crandell's nephew, Lonnie Crandell of Mancelona was arrested two weeks ago.

"We were working on a fire in May of '06,"Dan Caviston, Kalkaska County EMS coordinator said. While investigating, we uncovered information that they were involved in a vehicle fire in Mancelona in 03.

"Lonnie was arrested for that fire -for preparation burn and arson of insured property,"Caviston said. While that investigation was going on, Bob Crandell) burned up his red Laser."

The charges against Robert Crandell stem from a car fire at Glen's Market in Kalkaska on April 24, 2007, when a 1990 Red Plymouth Laser was reported to be on fire, according to the KSO release. Kalkaska Station 7 responded and summoned Fire Investigation Team scene and follow-up investigation, the KSO report stated.

According to KSO, during the subsequent investigation, evidence developed, linking Crandell to several other fires.

The KSO release stated, These are especially dangerous occurrences both for responding fire department personnel as well as bystanders often trying assist at the scene. This particular investigation should be used as an indicator of the cooperative effort shown by our local fire departments and law enforcement agencies. This cooperative effort has resulted in the investigation of multiple fires and identification of several fires suspicious in nature."

The Fire Investigation Team in Kalkaska County, made up of representatives from the fire departments within the county, as well as a law enforcement liaison from the state or a local police agency.

"It really was a cooperative effort,"Caviston said. "We're fortounate that the Mancelona Fire Continued from 1A Department documented the fire and we could go back four years and make an arrest."

The ongoing investigation involved officers from the Fire Investigation Team, Michigan State Police, the Kalkaska Sheriff Office and the Michigan State Police Fire Marshall Office, Mancelona Police Department and the Mancelona Fire Department.

"Arresting someone who intentionally starts these fires is especially gratifying,"Artress said. "The success of this investigation lays on the shoulders of those team members willing to work together in these joint investigations."

Caviston said the investigation team, which includes volunteers from area fire departments have training every month. Next month training wil evolve around appliance fires.

"It will be about how to preserve the scene so the appliance people can come inand look at the product,"Caviston said.

"If people know that these types of fires are being investigated, there will be less fires."

Prosecutor Brian Donnelly authorized the below listed charges for Crandell in this incident. Arson, insured property: 10 year felony; Arson, personal property: 5 year felony; Bond: $10,000.

Artress said additional charges and arrests are anticipated in the case involving Crandell.