BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — A man is in custody Thursday for allegedly setting fire to a Bloomington apartment complex while people were there.
Tavarus C. Murray, 45, was booked into the McLean County Jail on charges of aggravated arson, residential arson and criminal damage to property, said Bryce Janssen, a Bloomington police spokesman.
The fire occurred at about 11:20 p.m. Wednesday. Officers with the Bloomington Police Department, were called to the 1000 block of Four Seasons Road after receiving a report of a building on fire.
The Bloomington Fire Department were already at the fire and had asked police assistance with a potential arson investigation.
The Bloomington Emergency Communications Center received the initial report just after 11 p.m., when a commercial fire alarm was triggered due to smoke in the building. Firefighters responded and extinguished the fire within 10 minutes of receiving the call.
According to police, evidence gathered indicated the fire was intentionally set. Arson investigators from both the Bloomington Fire and Police departments worked the case together.
Police said there were no injuries caused by the fire. However, property damage to the building is estimated to exceed $1,000.
Murray remains in custody at the McLean County Detention Facility.
“Our community and department are grateful there was no loss of life or injuries as a result of this felonious conduct. I am thankful for the Bloomington Fire and Police Departments professionalism and collaboration during this arson investigation,” said Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington.
The incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information are told to contact Detective Kevin Raisbeck at (309) 434-2593 or [email protected].
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