Warrenville man charged with setting fire to Palatine house

A Warrenville man has been charged with arson in connection with a fire last year at a home he owns in Palatine.

Richard Moss, 43, was ordered held on $75,000 bail Wednesday after state and local fire marshals determined the fire was deliberately set, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Maureen McGee.

The investigation determined the fire broke out in the utility room of a home on the 1000 block of Penny Lane after someone ignited a mattress, McGee said.

According to a Palatine police news release issued Wednesday afternoon, Moss, who was the only person at the house, initially lied to police and claimed the fire was started by a charcoal/wood food smoker outside. Further investigation determined the smoker had not been in use at the time of the fire.

No one was injured in the fire, which took place at a home Moss owns but rents out, McGee said.

McGee attributed the delay in charging Moss to police and insurance company investigations.

If convicted, Moss faces up to 15 years in prison. He next appears in court on Oct. 27.