Ex-firefighter faces three arson charges

AUBURN – A former firefighter was charged Wednesday with three counts of arson for allegedly setting fire to a business and a vacant house in Auburn.

Auburn police Detective Chad Syphers said Michael Derosier, 32, of Minot was charged with setting two fires Tuesday night, one at the Exit 12 Auction and Sales auction hall and another 90 minutes later at a vacant cabin. He also was charged with setting a separate fire last week at Exit 12 Auction and Sales.

Derosier used to be a volunteer firefighter with the Minot Fire Department, Syphers said.

Syphers said firefighters were called to the fire at Exit 12 Auction and Sales at 8:24 p.m. Tuesday. While putting that fire out, firefighters received a fire call at 9:54 p.m. at a small, unoccupied cabin on Butler Hill Road, about five miles away.

When police arrived at the cabin fire, they came across a car that had gone off the road, with Derosier behind the wheel. Syphers said police then arrested Derosier and charged him with operating under the influence.

After questioning, Derosier was charged with three counts of arson early Wednesday morning.