This snapshot shows a car fire outside a home on University in Ferndale.
This snapshot shows a second car burning outside the home.
FERNDALE, Mich. (WJBK) -
Snapshots show two raging car fires burning simultaneously on the 1600 block of University, one in front of a house and one in a driveway. Police say the front porch also started to burn and the flames got dangerously close to the house with eight people inside around 2:30 a.m.
"Woke up. Neighbor next door was screaming in her bedroom window that our car was on fire," Sam Maniaci explained.
He said the family knew right away who might be to blame. Police arrested his 26-year-old son in Hamtramck after they found evidence linking him to the fires. They say a custody battle, which his son lost, may be behind this.
"The suspect in this case was angry with everybody over this, and the fact that his family supported her also seems to have been an impetuous behind his actions," said Lieutenant William Wilson with the Ferndale Police Department.
"It's a long story, but just another sad chapter in it. We'll put it that way," said Maniaci.
Ferndale Police say the suspect's ex-wife and four children and his parents were all inside the house at the time of the fire. Thankfully everyone got out safely, but clearly someone could've been hurt or killed.
"It's a dangerous situation he created, and he was definitely putting lives in danger no matter what his intent was," Wilson said.
The 26-year-old is expected to face felony arson charges. The family says all the damage should be covered by insurance.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Friday, June 14 2013 7:45 PM EDT2013-06-14 23:45:59 GMT
Thousands of police and fire retirees could face painful cuts to their pension and healthcare benefits because Detroit does not have the money to live up to its obligations.
Thousands of police and fire retirees could face painful cuts to their pension and healthcare benefits because Detroit does not have the money to live up to its obligations.
Friday, June 14 2013 6:31 PM EDT2013-06-14 22:31:19 GMT
Highland Park police shut down an adult bookstore where they say illegal sex was also for sale. Fox 2 talked to a former security guard about the things he witnessed.
Highland Park police shut down an adult bookstore where they say illegal sex was also for sale. Fox 2 talked to a former security guard about the things he witnessed.
Thursday, June 13 2013 8:19 PM EDT2013-06-14 00:19:03 GMT
Vandals target a popular place for children in Detroit. They broke in and damaged a recreation center on the city's east side, and it is bad timing for a local sports league.
Vandals target a popular place for children in Detroit. They broke in and damaged a recreation center on the city's east side, and it is bad timing for a local sports league.
Thursday, June 13 2013 6:51 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:51:57 GMT
Detroit's police and fire pension board makes a controversial move. The board's former attorney was indicted in a bribery scandal. They have now voted in a new attorney loosely connected to the scandal himself.
Detroit's police and fire pension board makes a controversial move. The board's former attorney was indicted in a bribery scandal involving Kwame Kilpatrick. They have now voted in a new attorney loosely connected to the scandal himself.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:31:06 GMT
Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
As Kevyn Orr tries to solve Detroit's financial crisis, he is also working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:43:12 GMT
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:36:35 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Monday, June 17 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:56:42 GMT
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
This snapshot shows a car fire outside a home on University in Ferndale.
This snapshot shows a second car burning outside the home.
