Firefighter Accused of Arson and Theft | Detroit News

A former Detroit firefighter, Eric Anderson, is accused of a chilling string of garage and home arsons across the west side — including brazen thefts from firefighters during active blazes — with no injuries reported. The case takes a personal turn for neighbor Derrick Atkins, who grew up with Anderson and watched his own family garage burn down, sparking disbelief after decades of friendship. Another resident, Hajaji, also lost his garage to fire — uninsured and devastatingly unexpected. Anderson’s courtroom outbursts led to a $1 million bond hike, and investigators suspect more fires are linked to him. This isn’t his first brush with law enforcement: in 2022, he was placed on unpaid leave after allegedly throwing a brick at Atkins’ home and firing a weapon — charges he later pleaded guilty to, serving over a year in prison. Atkins now wonders what trauma or mental health crisis could have turned his childhood friend into a suspected arsonist, as Anderson faces another court date August 25th. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/9b93c7f6ba2f3b53