Upper Peninsula Firefighter Arrested While Fighting A Fire He Is Accused Of Starting

A firefighter for the Whitefish Township volunteer fire department in Chippewa County was officially charged Monday for setting fire to a building Saturday night.

Joseph Halder appeared in Chippewa County District Court and is charged with 3rd-degree arson.

First responders got the call around 8:45 p.m. Saturday for a fire at the former Ruth's Gift Shop in downtown Paradise.

Chippewa County Sheriff immediately looked over surveillance footage from a gas station located across the street.

A short time later, deputies arrested the 35-year-old Halder.....while he was fighting the fire.

They believe Halder could be responsible for at least two other fires in the area.