ESCANABA — A Rapid River man faces arson charges after being accused of setting fire to the Rapid River Pub early Monday, while staff and patrons were still inside.

Steven Prestridge, 33, was arraigned Tuesday in the 94th District Court at the Delta County Courthouse on one count of arson-second degree and one count of arson-preparation to burn real property, according to a news release from Michigan State Police. Bond was set at $150,000 cash/surety with additional conditions.

MSP from the Gladstone Post responded about 12:33 a.m. Monday to find the back of the Rapid River Pub was on fire. All inside had been safely evacuated.

The owner of the business, Tom Szocinski, later said when the bartender declined to serve a man who had previously been banned from the pub, he replied, “Then I’ll take this place down.” Roughly 15 minutes later, employees and customers heard a loud boom and discovered the blaze in back.

An investigation indicated the fire had been intentionally set, according to the MSP news release. A possible suspect was taken into custody and lodged in the Delta County Jail.

MSP was assisted by the Delta County Sheriff’s Office, Masonville Township Fire Department and Ensign Township Fire Department.

MSP states the incident remains under investigation.