Man Indicted in $3M Wisconsin Arson

A federal grand jury has indicted a Milwaukee man in an arson last year that destroyed a building housing a well-known pizza restaurant.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says 27-year-old Feras Rahman was charged with arson by explosion, arson to commit mail fraud, mail fraud and making false statements.

The blaze destroyed Rahman’s restaurant, The Black and White Café, as well as The Pizza Man restaurant, a cocktail lounge and 10 apartments near the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus. The loss is estimated at more than $3 million.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Rahman is not in custody. His attorney, federal public defender Daniel Stiller, says his client plans to plead not guilty.

More than 150 firefighters responded to the blaze in January 2010. Several firefighters were injured.