Man Starts Fire In Antioch After Failed Dating 'Attempt': Sheriff

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A Wisconsin man was arrested Thursday as a result of an investigation into a diesel fuel tank fire April 7 in unincorporated Antioch, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Deputies responded to a home in the 42900 block of North Pedersen Lane at 4 a.m. to assist Antioch firefighters with a diesel fuel storage tank that was on fire, in addition to flames in the surrounding area. Antioch firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, the sheriff's office said.

According to a release, the sheriff's deputies and detectives conducted an investigation which revealed the homeowners had a video surveillance system at their home, showing just before the 911 call that morning, a man, who has since been identified as 32-year-old John J. Nolan, of the 300 block of Holly Hill Road, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, entered the property and started damaging item's on the homeowner's lawn.

Nolan then set the diesel fuel on fire, which ignited and caused a large explosion, and then escaped the scene, the sheriff's office said. Nolan was arrested April 25 at his workplace. He indicated that he damaged the property and set the fire after becoming intoxicated and angered after being unsuccessful in asking someone out on a date that evening, according to a release from the sheriff's office.

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The sheriff's office said Nolan was charged with felony arson and criminal damage to property offenses. He remains held in the Lake County Jail on $100,000 bail, and his next court date is set for May 14, the sheriff's office said.