Kyle C. Kowal, 26, of the 600 block of West Street in Libertyville, was arrested, charged with starting two house fires and attempting to start two additional garage fires on March 24, 2011. Kowal is being held on $500,000 bond in Lake County jail, Libertyville — charged with single counts of aggravated arson, arson, attempted arson and burglary.
Kowal was arrested taken into custody without incident during a traffic stop at 10 p.m. on March 29, 2011.
All the fires and attempted fires were set in the early morning hours of March 24, 2011 on Homewood Drive, Cook Avenue and Laurel Avenue. The attempted arson targets resulted in only minor damage. Kowal is also suspected of burglary at the Picnic Basket in the 500 block of N. Milwaukee Avenue.
The first arson fire started shortly before 3 a.m. in rear of a home that was rendered uninhabitable in the 200 block of Homewood Drive. The fire was under control within 20 minutes. Damages is estimated at $150,000.
The second arson fire was started at about 4:05 a.m. in the 200 block of Cook Avenue. Libertyville and mutual aid firefighters arrived to find a two-story detached garage fully-involved. Nine fire departments assisted Libertyville Fire Department and struck the fire at about 5:30 a.m. The second fire also started near the rear of the home, but also spread to a neighboring house on the west side. Damage to both homes was extensive with no monetary value yet available.
No injuries were reported in any of the fires.
Investigators uncovered evidence of attempted arson at a house in the 200 block of Homewood Drive and at a house in the 300 block of Laurel Avenue.
The fires were investigated by the Libertyville Police Department, the Libertyville Fire Department and the Illinois State Fire Marshal.