Prosecutors say a man started a fire at an apartment building in Zion and then became “arrogant” about it while recording a live video on social media standing outside the building.
Kirby M. Craion, 32, of Zion, was charged with criminal damage to property under $10,000, a Class 4 felony.
The Zion Fire and Rescue Department and Zion Police Department responded on April 26 to a call of a structure fire in the 2300 block of Gabriel Avenue in Zion.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Emma Smoler said smoke was coming out from the side of the building.
Craion’s father called 911 to report the incident and officers found Craion in the alley recording the fire, Smoler said.
Craion said he and his father were in the apartment when the fire started.
Smoler said that Craion became “arrogant” and was recording himself in front of the fire trucks.
Craion said “play time is over now” and “if I say it I mean it,” according to the video, which was posted on social media.
Officers asked Craion if he started the fire or knew what was going on and he repeatedly told them he “pleads the fifth.”
Craion was seen holding a lighter for the majority of the time he was recording the video.
Officers arrested Craion at the scene and told him he was under investigation for arson.
Smoler said a witness had reported that Craion previously started another fire in his room and that he made a comment about starting it.
In a follow-up post published on Craion’s social media account on May 29, he said that he was currently homeless because he “started a small trash can fire” in his mom’s house during a bipolar episode.
Smoler said the April 26 fire left Craion’s bedroom walls charred and a door burned.
Craion was released from custody on the day of the fire but was arrested last week after being charged with criminal damage to property.
It is unclear why prosecutors have not charged him with residential arson.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered Craion held on a $100,000 bond. He remains held in the Lake County Jail.