Caledonia Man Charged with Arson, Attempted Murder of His Father

A Caledonia man is facing charges of arson and attempted murder after he allegedly set a house fire that seriously injured his elderly father.

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It started just before midnight on June 28th. Kent County deputies and Caledonia firefighters rushed out to a home on the 7100 block of Channel Drive SE. The fire was so intense that part of the house actually collapsed while first responders were still pulling up.

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When they got to the scene, they found a 77-year-old man who had managed to escape the burning house but had stopped breathing. Deputies jumped into action, starting CPR. Thankfully, they were able to get his pulse back before the ambulance arrived. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, and remains there.

Multiple agencies, including the Plainfield Charter Township Fire Department, Cascade Township Fire Department, and the Michigan State Police K9 Team were involved in the investigation. Authorities were able to determine the fire started in the 77-year-old man's bedroom.

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Now, the state is moving forward with charges. The Kent County Prosecutor’s Office has officially charged the victim's son, 54-year-old Tom Chehowski III, who lived at the home. He faces counts of First-Degree Arson and Assault with Intent to Murder. Chehowski was tracked down and arrested in Gratiot County and is now being held at the Kent County Jail.

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Investigators are still looking for any information that could be helpful in relation to the case. If you know anything, you are asked to call the Kent County Sheriff’s Office at 616-632-6125, or submit an anonymous tip to Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.