On March 4th, 2023, at approximately 2:20PM, the Sault Ste. Marie Police and Fire Departments
responded to the report of a fire within a motel room at the Mid City Motel, located at 304 E.
Portage within the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Upon fire department arrival, bystanders
reported a fire to be extinguished and directed crews to a second story motel room, which had light
smoke and fire damage. Fire damage was confirmed to be extinguished, and adjacent rooms were
checked to confirm no fire spread. No one was injured during the fire.
Shortly after arriving on-scene, investigators took Luke Daniel Engle, a 45-year-old resident of Sault
Ste. Marie, MI, into custody. On March 21st, 2023, Engle was arraigned in the 91st District Court on
the First Degree Arson with Habitual Offender 4th Notice. Engle received a $500,000 bond, tether,
and is currently on parole. Engle is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of
law.
This incident is an open and active investigation.
The Sault Ste. Mare Police and Fire Departments were and have been assisted by the Sault Tribe
Police Department, Michigan State Police-Fire Investigation Unit, and Chippewa County Central
Dispatch
If anyone has information or tips about this incident, please contact Detective/Sergeant Darrell Harp
at 906-632-5752 or dharp@saultcity.com.
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