Man Texted Ex-Wife, Threatened To 'Flood' House With Gasoline Before Explosion: Police

CAROL STREAM, IL — A Carol Stream man is being held in DuPage County Jail after prosecutors say he set fire to his home in the 700 block of Hemlock Lane. The fire led to an explosion that also damaged neighboring homes, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office (DCSAO).

Eric Neuman, 52, was charged with aggravated arson, arson and criminal damage to property in connection with the Aug. 23 incident.

According to prosecutors, Neuman texted his estranged wife on Aug. 2, saying, "That morning, I'll remove gas lines from the oven and dryer, after flooding the house with 15 gallons of gasoline. I'll also remove any flow restriction devices on said as lines. I'll turn the fireplace gas valve on full-tilt and then exit the house. It takes an oxygen to natural gas ratio of 5 - 15% to cause an explosion. When I finally ignite the trail of gasoline that leads to the back yard, I'm pretty sure I'll have…"

Police and fire departments were called to the Hemlock Lane home just before 4:30 a.m. on Aug. 23 for a report of a house fire. Neuman is accused of pouring gas in the house's garage and tossing a lit flare into the garage.

Later that day, pursued sought Neuman near Bloomington before he was arrested in Mahomet.

“Intentionally setting fire to a residence in the early morning hours while the community is asleep, as alleged in this case, not only endangers the lives of countless residents, but also the lives of our first responders answering the call,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

Berlin added, “This type of extremely dangerous behavior will not be tolerated in DuPage County and will be met with the full force of the law. We are all very thankful that no innocent members of the community were injured, or worse, as a result of Mr. Neuman’s alleged actions."

Neuman is set to appear in court on Sept. 22.