A call about an unattended fire in Dowwagiac led to the arrest of a 33-year-old Buchanan man for possession of meth.

Police were called, late Saturday night, to the 100 block of Jay Street in Dowagiac where they found the fire in the back yard of a home.

They also saw a backpack sitting nearby. Police knocked on the door of the home.

The only person inside was an acquaintence of the owner, who had been asleep.

Upon to the backyard, police noticed the backpack was moved and partially hidden.

The Buchanan mad admitted it was his and allowed officers to inspect it.

They allegeldly found meth and drug paraphernalia inside.

The Dowagiac Police Department issued the following information regarding the case:

On Saturday, 5/4/19, at approximately 10:40 P.M., a Dowagiac Officer observed a large fire in the back yard of a residence in the 100 block of Jay St. The officer noted that the fire was unattended as no one was around which is a violation of city ordinance. Police located a backpack sitting near the fire indicating that someone may have been near the fire at some time. The officer attempted to contact someone at the residence and received no answer.

The officer was then met by a relative of the resident who had access to the residence. Upon checking inside officers located a male subject asleep on the couch. The male subject did not live at the residence, however was a guest of the resident. Upon asking about the fire he advised that he did start the fire and came inside and fell asleep. He was advised that he needed to put the fire out which he went outside to do so.

Upon returning to the fire the Officer noted that the backpack that had been sitting next to the fire was now moved and partially hidden under some construction materials in the yard. The Officer asked the subject about the backpack and he advised that it was his and gave the officer permission to search it. Upon searching the backpack police located drug paraphernalia as well as a quantity of meth.

Dowagiac Police arrested the 33 year old male subject from Buchanan for possession of meth. He was lodged at the Cass County Jail on the charge. All charges are pending authorization from the Cass County Prosecutor’s Office. The name of the subject is withheld pending his arraignment.