Michigan Arson Suspect Charged After Meijer Fire

A Michigan man is behind bars and charged with two counts of Arson after allegedly starting a fire inside a Michigan Meijer on Tuesday, September 2.

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50-year-old Kenneth VanLuven was caught on surveillance video pouring rubbing alcohol onto containers of motor oil in aisle C10 and igniting them at the Woodhaven Meijer.

In the video, he is seen setting another fire in the fertilizer section of the store.

A woman who wished to remain anonymous shared with ABC 7 what she witnessed.

I thought oh Meijer, I don't have to worry about something like this, I was over by the clothing and I started smelling something over by the oil aisle and I looked over and there was a few people standing there and I was like something's not right, so I walked to the front of the store and started asking questions but as I was walking to the front of the store, police and fire were piling in. The smell was awful.

This incident is not VanLuven's first one. Woodhaven police said that he had another arson-related incident at a Meijer in Flat Rock, which led to his hospitalization.

For the time being, VanLuven remains in jail with a bond set at $75,000.

His next court appearance is September 16, 2025.

You can watch the store video of the incident here.

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Source: Video Captures Michigan Man Starting Fire Inside Meijer

Filed Under: meijer, fire, arson

Categories: Grand Rapids News