Man charged with arson in connection with Rapid River Pub fire

Public Radio 90, WNMU | By Nicole Walton

Published September 3, 2025 at 7:24 AM EDT

RAPID RIVER, MI— A Delta County man has been arrested for setting a fire at the Rapid River Pub early Monday morning.

Michigan State Police from the Gladstone Post responded around 12:33 a.m. and found the building occupied by patrons. Everyone evacuated safely. Preliminary investigation led troopers to believe the fire was deliberately set.

A suspect, Steven Prestridge, 33, of Rapid River, was located and arrested. He was arraigned Tuesday in 94^th District Court on one count of second-degree arson and one count of arson-preparation to burn real property.

Prestridge remains lodged in the Delta County Jail on a $150,000 cash/surety bond. He is next due in court on September 18.

The incident remains under investigation.

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Nicole Walton

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.

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