Man Trying To Torch Fenton's Motel Captured: Joliet Police

JOLIET — Last week, Joliet Patch brought you the news that Joliet police were looking for a suspected arsonist, John Welsh, in connection with the major fire that happened in February at the Fenton's Motel at 2305 West Jefferson St. The fire caused over $100,000 in damage, according to the criminal complaint.

He's now at the Will County jail facing charges of aggravated arson, arson, and two counts of criminal damage to property.

At around 8:55 a.m. Feb. 19, Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said an officer near Oneida Street and Springfield Avenue saw smoke coming from Fenton's Motel, and when the officer arrived at 2305 W. Jefferson St., they saw a guest room fully engulfed in flames.

The officer began evacuating guests from other rooms as the Joliet Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire.

As for the room where the fire started, a 45-year-old University Park man was renting it, and he told Joliet police he was awoken by the fire, left the room and notified staff.

The man suffered burns to his legs and right hand and was taken to Ascension St Joseph Medical Center by the Joliet Fire Department ambulance.

As time passed, English said, Joliet police identified Welsh as their suspect, and Welsh was staying next to the room that was set on fire. Detectives developed information through interviews and video surveillance that determined Welsh was responsible for causing the fire to the guest room, and they obtained an arrest warrant on July 3.

Welsh was taken into custody without incident at 4:30 p.m. July 8, 2024, after he was spotted in the 1900 block of Mystic Lane.

Will County Jail logs indicate that Welsh listed his address as Wilmington's Walleye Lane. Joliet police listed him as a Joliet resident.