Eric Neuman, 52, of Carol Stream appeared in court Sunday and is facing multiple felony charges, prosecutors said.
Emergency crews responded to a house fire and explosion around 4:28 a.m. Saturday at a home in the 700 block of Hemlock Lane in Carol Stream, police said.
Neuman, who lived at home with his soon-to-be ex-wife, allegedly "placed approximately six containers of gas throughout the house totaling approximately forty gallons, and two propane tanks in a rental car in the attached garage," the DuPage County State's Attorney said in a statement. "It is alleged that Neuman spilled gas in the garage, lit a flare and threw it in the garage."
The suspect was arrested around 10:35 a.m. Saturday in Mahomet, Illinois by Illinois State Police after a pursuit that began in the Bloomington-Morton area, officials said.
Neuman has been charged with two counts of Aggravated Arson, one count of Arson and one count of Criminal Damage to Property, the DuPage County State's Attorney said.
He appeared in court Sunday, where he was ordered by a judge to remain in custody pending his trial.
Prosecutors said Neuman allegedly texted his wife threatening messages, including "That morning, I'll remove gas lines from the oven and dryer, after flooding the house with 15 gallons of gasoline. I'll also remove any flow restriction devices on said as lines. I'll turn the fireplace gas valve on full-tilt and then exit the house. It takes an oxygen to natural gas ratio of 5 - 15% to cause an explosion. When I finally ignite the trail of gasoline that leads to the back yard, I'm pretty sure I'll have."
"Intentionally setting fire to a residence in the early morning hours while the community is asleep, as alleged in this case, not only endangers the lives of countless residents, but also the lives of our first responders answering the call," DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin said in a statement. "This type of extremely dangerous behavior will not be tolerated in DuPage County and will be met with the full force of the law. We are all very thankful that no innocent members of the community were injured, or worse, as a result of Mr. Neuman's alleged actions."
Neuman's next court appearance is scheduled for September 22.