Kane County man facing arson charges

A 38-year-old Montgomery man is facing arson charges for lighting a pile of clothes on fire in a domestic dispute at his house, police said Tuesday.

Brian Anderson, of the 1700 block of Wick Way, was arrested early Sunday and charged with two counts of misdemeanor domestic battery and one count each of aggravated arson and residential arson, both felonies.

Montgomery police said Anderson grew angry after a female relative returned home shortly before 6 a.m. Sunday. He then pushed her down, poured gasoline on a pile of clothes on the floor and lit them on fire.

Police said the victim managed to put out the fire and escape uninjured with her four children, ages 2 to 9.

The flames did not spread beyond the pile of clothes, a rug inside the home and a bush out front, police said. Firefighters later cleaned up the gasoline.

Det. Sgt. Greg Sullivan confirmed that Anderson and the victim share the same last name and address, but he declined to elaborate on their relationship.

Sullivan said Anderson had no prior criminal history and was not believed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the incident.

Anderson was taken to Aurora Branch Court on Monday, where Kane County Judge Leonard Wojtecki set bail at $100,000. He posted $10,000 cash later that morning and was released on bond, according to jail records.

Anderson's attorney, Thomas Tyrrell, declined to comment Tuesday, saying he was still investigating “varying stories about the circumstances of the case. If convicted of the most serious charge, a Class X felony, Anderson could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison. His next court date is Nov. 3.