Niles man charged with setting fire in his own apartment

Staff report

NILES

Thomas E. White, 32, of 142 Vienna Ave., was arraigned on charges of aggravated arson and arson Monday in Niles Municipal Court, charged with setting his own apartment on fire at 7:23 p.m. Sunday.

When Niles firefighters arrived, White was gone, and the resident of another apartment in the four-plex had escaped unharmed. None of the residents of the two other apartments was home, and there were no injuries.

The fire caused about $8,000 damage to White’s bedroom, dining room and contents. The fire began in two places — the bedroom and dining room, said Capt. Rodney Freel of the Niles Fire Department.

Freel, a fire investigator, said there is evidence White was home alone at the time the fire started. He declined to elaborate on why he believes White started the fire.

Judge Thomas Townley of Niles Municipal Court set bond at $7,500, and no plea was entered to the charges. If convicted, White could get 10 years in prison.