Teens Accused Of Starting Pheasant Run Fire

DUPAGE COUNTY, IL — Arson charges have been filed against two teenage boys accused of starting the massive blaze at the former Pheasant Run Resort in May. Two other boys face trespassing charges in connection with the blaze, which took four days and the work from more than 100 firefighters to put out.

The boys, whose ages range from 14 to 17 years old, were charged in DuPage County this week and appeared for a detention hearing Wednesday morning. Two of the boys, one from Carol Stream and another from Wheaton, have been charged with arson, burglary, criminal damage to property and criminal trespass to a building, authorities said.

Following Wednesday's hearing, the teens facing arson charges were detained, according to a news release from the DuPage State's Attorney's Office.

Two other boys, one from Carol Stream and another from Winfield, have been charged with two counts of criminal trespass to a building and have since been released to their parents.

The charges come following an investigation by the St. Charles Police Department and St. Charles Fire Protection District, Illinois State Fire Marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The teens are accused of illegally entering the former resort at 4051 E. Main St. in St. Charles at about 4:40 p.m. on May 21. Two of the teens set papers on fire at two separate locations in the building and then left the area without trying to put the fires out, according to the news release.

Charges were filed on Monday in DuPage County Circuit Court. The two teens facing arson charges turned themselves in to authorities ahead of Wednesday's detention hearing. The other two teens were notified of the charges and also appeared in court Wednesday.

The teens facing arson charges are next expected in court on Monday. The other two teens are set to appear for a court hearing on Aug. 10.

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