Carol Stream man pleads guilty to setting fire to his, his estranged wife’s home

A Carol Stream man who set his and his estranged wife’s house on fire last year has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Eric Neuman, 52, of the 700 block of Hemlock Lane, pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated arson, a Class X felony.

According to a news release from the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office, there was a large explosion and fire at Neuman’s house at approximately 4:28 a.m. on Aug. 23, 2025.

His wife had moved out.

The fire spread to houses on two sides of Neuman’s house.

Investigators determined he had put six containers of gasoline, totaling about 40 gallons, throughout the house, and two propane tanks in a rental car in the attached garage.

He spilled gasoline in the garage, lit a flare and threw it in the garage and fled.

Investigators said that on Aug. 2, 2025, Neuman sent his wife a text message describing actions he’d take to ignite a fire at their house.

Authorities have said Neuman set the fire knowing his neighbors were home at the time. No injuries were reported, officials said.

Illinois State Police troopers apprehended Neuman in downstate Mahomet at about 10:35 a.m. Aug. 23, authorities said. He has been in the DuPage County jail since his arrest.

Neuman will have to serve 85% of the sentence before he is eligible for parole.