A Grand Forks man accused of starting a string of fires pleaded not guilty Monday to the charges against him.
Michael Duray, 22, allegedly started six vehicles on fire and lit blazes at three residences during the early morning hours of June 28. All nine fires were set in Grand Forks within a few blocks of one another.
No one was injured in the apparently random blazes. The vehicles all sustained more than $2,000 in damage. The buildings sustained minor to extensive damage, the police reported.
Duray is charged with nine counts of endangerment by fire. Seven of the charges are Class C felonies, which each carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The others are Class B felonies because two fires put occupants of residences in potential "danger of death or bodily injury," according to court records. Both of those charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail and a $10,000 fine.
A magistrate ruled Aug. 4 there's enough probable cause to go forward with a case against Duray, who is out on bail.
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A pretrial conference has been set for Oct. 30.
