Man Charged With Arson In Connection With South Side Fire

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A man has been charged with arson after allegedly setting a vacant building on fire just blocks from his home Monday morning.

Jerry Mallett, 47, was charged with arson and criminal trespassing for setting fire to a vacant building in the 8100 block of South Escanaba Avenue about 6 a.m. Monday morning, police said.

While Mallett was only charged with setting one fire, firefighters also put out a second vacant building fire, less than a block away, that broke out about the same time, according to Chicago Fire Media.

Both buildings are located less than a mile from Mallett's listed home address in the 8500 block of South Exchange Avenue.

No one was hurt in either of the fires, Fire Media Affairs said.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)