Eric Blum
STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — A former member of a UWSP fraternity has pled not guilty to setting fire to a rental home occupied by some of his former brothers.
Eric Blum is accused of setting multiple fires in the home and then leaving. While no one was injured in the fires, several Phi Sigma Phi members lost their belongings and were forced to finish the year in temporary housing.
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Court documents show some residents were inside the house when the fires were set, with witnesses saying they heard Blum talking and then saw an “orange glow” outside their room.
A statement released by the Phi Sigma Phi National Fraternity confirmed that Blum had been a member, but had been terminated earlier this year. The group also confirmed that several active members were on the lease and that the home is owned and managed by a local company, not Phi Sigma Phi.
The roommates said Blum had been staying there despite getting kicked out but wasn’t paying rent.
The 22-year-old is also facing misdemeanor battery charges in a separate case that has been tied together with the arson incident. He previously pled not guilty to those charges as well.
Blum is jailed on a $250,000 bond. Further court action is scheduled for August 7th.
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