Arson Charges Filed Against Bemidji Man

A Bemidji man was charged Thursday with one count of first-degree arson.

33- year- old, Michael James Durant, was arrested Wednesday after a Beltrami County Sheriff’s deputy received a report of a fire inside a mobile home.

According to the complaint, a relative of Durant’s and her boyfriend pulled into the driveway of the residence and heard smoke detectors going off.

The relative’s boyfriend discovered the front door was locked and forced his way inside, before locating two mattresses on fire in the back bedroom.

The boyfriend put out the fire and located Durant outside the home.

The Bemidji Pioneer reports that deputies arrested Durant, who told them that he had been upset and intentionally started the fire by placing sage on a mattress and lighting it.

Durant is scheduled to appear in court Monday.