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Detroit Senior Charged in Whittaker Street Arson

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Henry Vanreyendam, 73 (DOB: 01/11/1946), of Detroit, in connection with the arson that occurred in a vacant dwelling on Whittaker Street in Detroit.

On October 3, 2019 at approximately 1:10 p.m., the Detroit Fire Department responded to an active fire in a vacant dwelling in the 8100 block of Whittaker Street, near Mullane Street, in Detroit. A partial collapse of the structure occurred during firefighting operations and five firefighters were injured. Detroit EMS arrived at the scene and transported the injured firefighters to a local hospital for treatment.

It is alleged that the defendant intentionally started the fire. More complete facts and evidence in the case will be presented at the preliminary examination.

Vanreyendam has been charged with five counts of First Degree Arson, one count of Second Degree Arson and one count of Arson - Preparation to Burn.* He was arraigned on Sunday in 34h District Court and was remanded to jail. The Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for October 17, 2019 at 8:30 a.m.; the Preliminary Examination is scheduled for October 24, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. Both hearings are before Judge Ronald Giles in 36th District Court. Bond was denied. Please request a photograph of the defendant from the Detroit Police Department.

*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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