Angry Man Sets His Spare Bedroom On Fire With Gas Can: JPD

JOLIET, IL — Kevin L. Williams, a 45-year-old Joliet man, lost his temper with his romantic acquaintance on Friday night and that prompted him to grab his can of gasoline and set his house on fire while five other people, including a little baby girl, remained inside, according to Joliet police.

The Joliet Fire Department sent companies 5, 1 and 6 to extinguish the blaze that was confined to one of the empty bedrooms in the house, according to Joliet Fire Battalion Chief Jim Batusich. Firefighters remained on the scene about 90 minutes.

At 2:42 a.m. Saturday, Williams got booked into the Will County Jail on charges of aggravated arson. Williams lives at the home where the fire happened, 1511 N. Prairie Avenue, which is near Theodore Street.

At the time of the fire, Williams was in the home and became upset with a 47-year-old woman who has a romantic relationship with him, according to Joliet police.

"Williams retrieved gasoline from the garage and then entered the residence at which time it is believed that he intentionally ignited a fire in an empty bedroom of the residence," police spokesman Dwayne English announced in Saturday's press release.

The 47-year-old woman, a 26-year-old woman, a 6-year-old girl, a 4-year-old boy and a 4-month-old baby girl were all inside when Williams set the fire, and all safely escaped without any injuries, English noted.

Williams wasn't inside the house when Joliet police got to the scene.

"Officers located Williams inside the garage of the residence, and he was taken into custody without incident. The fire was extinguished by the Joliet Fire Department," English indicated.

On Saturday, Williams learned that his bail was set at $500,000 by a Will County judge.