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VerVynck pleads not guilty to setting Second Street fire
SUSAN DEVILDER
The Star Courier
Prosecutors alleged Monday that Mark W. VerVynck had taken out an insurance policy on his newly purchased downtown building just 10 days before he intentionally set fire to it last May.
VerVynck and his attorney appeared at a preliminary hearing of the case at the Cambridge Courthouse Monday to defend him against arson charges related to the fire at his building, located at 224 W. Second Street.
VerVynck, 40, pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated arson and one count of arson. Judge James Cosby found probable cause to try the defendant, who was placed under arrest by the Kewanee Police Department in March.
Owner says fire started by accident
Star Courier
An investigation launched last May after a massive fire gutted a downtown building and injured two firefighters has been handed over to Kewanee police detectives.
A State Fire Marshall spokesman confirmed to the Star Courier Thursday that fire investigators, led by the Kewanee Fire Department, had concluded their investigation of the May 14 fire at 224 S. Second St. He deferred further comment to Kewanee police.
Police Chief Nick Welgat confirmed later Thursday his department has taken over the case and that it is being categorized as an arson investigation.
“There is an ongoing criminal investigation into the fire,” Welgat said. “Once the investigation is concluded, any charges found to be valid will be presented to the (Henry County) state s attorney.”