Eric Blum
STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — The man suspected of setting fire to a home occupied by members of a UWSP fraternity was in court on Monday.
Eric Blum is now facing felony counts of arson and recklessly endangering safety. Officers say that he started numerous fires in the home on Main Street, where he had been staying.
Court documents show some residents were inside the house when the fires were set, with witnesses saying they heard Blum talking and then saw an “orange glow” outside their room.
The roommates also say that Blum wasn’t paying rent, with the other housemates picking up his portion.
Blum waived his right to a reading of the complaint on Monday. He is still waiting for a court-appointed attorney.
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A statement released by the Phi Sigma Phi National Fraternity confirmed that Blum had been a member, but had his membership terminated earlier this year. The group also confirmed that several active members were on the lease and that the home is owned and managed by a local company and not Phi Sigma Phi.
The 21-year-old is being held on a $250,000 bond and will return to court on April 29th for the arson charges. In a separate case, he’s also facing misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct charges, which are set for a status hearing on May 13th.
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