Sioux Falls man arrested for arson after overnight motel fire

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - A 30-year-old man is facing charges after an overnight fire at a Sioux Falls motel.

Sioux Falls Fire Rescue was dispatched to a report of a structure fire in the 3000 block of West Russell Street at 2 a.m. Monday. Fire crews extinguished the fire coming from the back of the building on the first floor within 15 minutes.

Authorities say Michael James Phillip Pettigrew, 30 from Sioux Falls, was a guest at the motel and had intentionally set a blanket on fire in his room. Pettigrew left and walked to a nearby hotel where he reportedly told employees to call the police.

Pettigrew was arrested for reckless burning and arson.

Guests at the motel were evacuated and no injuries were reported.