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Man sentenced to prison in fire at Boyne Highlands resort

A man who authorities say ran from a security guard and sprayed a fire extinguisher at him during a major fire at a northern Michigan ski resort has been sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

 The Boyne Highlands Resorts experienced a 'significant' structure fire early this morning. Photo courtesy of Alex Childress

A man who authorities say ran from a security guard and sprayed a fire extinguisher at him during a major fire at a northern Michigan ski resort has been sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

Thirty-one-year-old David Soltysiak of Petoskey learned his punishment Tuesday. He earlier pleaded no contest to second-degree arson and felonious assault. A no-contest plea isn't an admission of guilt, but is treated as such for sentencing.

David Gerald Soltysiak, 31, of Petoskey, pleaded no contest on Jan. 20 to 2nd degree arson for the Dec. 11 fire at Boyne Highlands ski resort. The blaze injured a dozen people and damaged 70 rooms.

The sentence includes a minimum of 13 years and 3 months in prison.

Twelve people were injured Dec. 11 at Boyne Highlands. Soltysiak says he has no memory of events leading up to or immediately after the fire. The Petoskey News-Review reports authorities say he used alcohol and drugs before starting the fire in a room.

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