Police: Man Pours Gasoline On Woman, Lights Fire
MONTGOMERY, Ill. (STMW) - A mother and her four young children escaped injury after a west suburban man apparently pushed her down, poured gasoline on her and lit her clothes on fire early Sunday during a domestic dispute.
Brian Anderson, 38, of Montgomery, is charged with two counts of domestic battery and one count each of aggravated arson and residential arson following the 5:50 a.m. incident in his home in the 1700 block of Wick Way, a release from Montgomery police said.
The woman was returning to the home she shared with Anderson and couldn't get inside. Once inside, Anderson became upset and pushed her, Montgomery police Det. Sgt. Greg Sullivan said. He poured gasoline on her clothing and a rug in the home and lit them on fire.
The woman was able to get the fire out of her clothes and got her four children -- ranging in age from 2 to 9 -- out of the home safely, Sullivan said.
The fire did not spread and was contained to the woman's clothes, a rug and a bush in front of the house, Sullivan said. Firefighters were sent to the home to wash off gasoline, which was found around the front of the house.
Anderson has no criminal history and police do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved, Sullivan said.
He could not confirm whether Anderson and the victim were married, but said the two lived together and the children shared Anderson's last name.
Anderson was ordered held on $100,000 bond Sunday and remained in the Kane County Jail Monday afternoon.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
