Michael James Plazewski

A Cape Coral resident who set fire to a nearby home that he thought was an “eyesore” was recently sentenced to more than two years in prison.
Michael James Plazewski, 25, of 226 S.W. 37th St., pleaded no contest to second-degree arson on June 7 in a deal with the state. He was adjudicated guilty and received two years and six months, according to court records.
Incarcerated on June 16, Plazewski is currently serving his sentence.
Assistant State Attorney Frank Pauzar prosecuted the case.
Defense attorney Kevin McNeeley represented Plazewski.
At about 1:30 a.m. Dec. 26, the Cape fire department responded to a residential fire at 3702 S.W. Third Ave. The home was completely engulfed in flames when crews arrived. The house was destroyed in the fire, burning nearly to the ground.
Fire investigators determined that the fire had been intentionally set.
An investigation was opened and police developed Plazewski, who lived less than a block away, as a possible suspect. During an interview with detectives, Plazewski admitted that he had intentionally set the home on fire because he believed that it was an eyesore.
The unoccupied home had been vacant for some time.
A neighbor reported at the time that the house had been damaged in Hurricane Charley and had never been properly repaired.
According to city records, the residence had received more than 20 code violations over the years, many of which resulted in liens, prior to the fire. The active cases had resulted in thousands of dollars of fees being levied.