Police arrest man allegedly responsible for June house fires near Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A man police believe is responsible for setting a fire that spread to several homes near Churchill Downs in June was in court Monday.

Police arrested 25-year-old Grant Grainger Oct. 26. He's charged with arson and wanton endangerment in connection with the fire that was set on June 26.

According to an arrest warrant, Grainger allegedly set a garage on fire on Longfield Avenue with the intent to destroy it. The flames spread to several nearby homes, damaging four of them.

Investigators say an accelerant was used, and Grainger was seen leaving the garage after it caught fire.

Grainger's attorney says he believes insurance has paid for the the physical damage caused by the fire, but three of the houses that were damaged had people inside.

Grainger's bond remains at $25,000, despite his attorney's request for a lower amount, due to what he called a "minimal criminal history" for his client.

Kristin Southard, the assistant county attorney prosecuting the case, argued that Grainger is a danger to the community.

"Whether or not the insurance has paid for the physical damage to the property is actually of less concern to the county at this time," Southard said. "I mean these people could have died. This presents a significant danger to the community."

A request for home incarceration for Grainger was also denied.