More Details On Elmhurst Arson: Cops

ELMHURST, IL – One night last month, an Elmhurst resident heard screaming and then saw what appeared to be a fire outside a neighbor's house, police said. He called 911.

Local officers then encountered Daniel Kidwell, 47, of Elmhurst, outside the house in question in the 100 block of South Pick Avenue, police said.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained the full police report on the incident.

About 9 p.m. Feb. 12, an officer used a neighbor's extinguisher to put out the blaze inside and outside the garage, police said.

Kidwell lives in the Pick Avenue house, where his mother and stepfather reside, police said. Kidwell has an 8-year-old order of protection to stay away from there, but Kidwell told officers he was invited back in, according to the report.

The neighbor said he saw Kidwell pour gas on towels in the grass and inside the garage, police said.

In an interview, Kidwell said he didn't remember starting a fire. He said he was in the garage looking for a part for a toy rocket, police said.

He said he had little sleep for days and had been drinking that night, according to the report. He said he had been in a good mood and looking forward to his mother and stepfather returning from out of state, police said.

Kidwell questioned why he would damage his "favorite and only home," police said.

Kidwell was charged with arson, violation of an order of protection, criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct.

He was taken to the DuPage County Jail, where he remained as of Monday. His bond was set at $7,500.