Court gavel. MWC file photo.
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) — A man accused of attempted homicide and arson in connection with a house fire in Wisconsin Rapids is scheduled for a plea and sentencing hearing this afternoon.
Michael Vandenberg is accused of setting fire to the front porch of the home on September 12th, 2025. Investigators say he poured an accelerant onto the structure, then lit the fire. Evidence collected at the scene showed the fire wasn’t electrical, and security camera footage from nearby homes showed a person matching Vandenberg’s description walking in the area at the time.
Three people were home at the time. They managed to escape out a back door. Investigators note that the 31-year-old had a connection to them.
Charges against him currently include three counts of attempted homicide and arson. Should those charges stick, he faces a mandatory life sentence.
Today’s hearing begins at 3:00 PM.
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