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UP Fire Official Faces 9 Arson Counts

Chippewa County Sheriff officials say an Upper Peninsula assistant fire chief in Hulbert has been charged with nine felony counts of arson.

Thirty-year-old Michael Kik of Kincheloe was arraigned Friday and remains free on a $10,000 bond. Court officials said a court-appointed lawyer was assigned to Kik. A phone listing was not immediately available under Kik's name.

Sheriff Robert Savoie tells The Evening News of Sault Saint Marie the investigation included U.S. Forest Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment officials who reviewed fires dating back to the spring of 2009.

Officials said it does not appear accelerants were used and the fires were contained to a couple acres.

An Oct. 25 preliminary exam is scheduled.
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Information from: The Evening News, http://www.sooeveningnews.com
  
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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