Man Facing Arson Charge for Torching House

A Joliet man who, for undisclosed reasons, decided to set his house on fire has been charged with arson, Joliet Police Cmdr. Brian Benton said.

Jeffrey D. Yankey, 51, was taken into custody April 10 after police found him outside his 115 N. Stadium Drive, which was engulfed in flames, and he announced he had intentionally set the blaze, Benton said.

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Yankey told officers he used a lit candle to set paper on fire in the kitchen, which then spread to the rest of the single-family house, he said. He offered no explanation for his actions.

Police also said Yankey was covered in black, which they initially thought was soot but later found out was paint, Benton said. 

Yankey is being held in the Will County jail in lieu of $60,000 bond.