Arson Charge Filed in Michigan Furniture Factory Fire

Prosecutors filed felony charges Thursday against a 21-year-old man in the October 7 fire that destroyed a historic furniture factory building in south Michigan.

Charges against Keigan Sochor include third-degree arson, preparation to burn $20,000 or more and two counts of entry without breaking with intent. Bond was set at $250,000.

Once known as the Royal Coach/Hastings Table Company, the century-old building in Hastings, Michigan, stood three stories high with nearly 99,000 square feet in floor space. The building had been unoccupied at least 50 years.

No injuries were reported from the fire.

A foundation purchased the building 18 months ago with the intention of turning the building into an affordable housing project.

Hastings Fire Chief Roger Caris told local media that the fire was the largest in his four decades at chief.