Thanksgiving Dinner Argument Ends in House Fire
A family celebration in Beach Park, Illinois, turned to terror on Thursday evening after a 21-year-old man allegedly set his family home on fire following a heated argument during Thanksgiving dinner. Erik Crump was subsequently arrested and now faces serious felony charges.
From Argument to Alleged Arson
Police were first called to the residence on the 40100 block of North Lone Oak Road around 7:30pm after family members reported that Crump was antagonising and arguing with them. Deputies from the Lake County Sheriff's Office managed to de-escalate the situation, and Crump reportedly agreed to moderate his behaviour for the remainder of the night.
However, the peace was short-lived. Just over an hour later, officers were forced to return to the home after receiving an alert that it was on fire. Investigators stated that the argument, which apparently began over a dog, escalated further when the family told Crump he was going to be kicked out of the house.
The 21-year-old left the property but returned a short time later to his room near the garage. Soon after, his family noticed smoke filling the house and evacuated immediately, a swift action that likely prevented injuries.
Arrest and Aftermath
Police detectives claim that Erik Crump used an accelerant to set his room on fire before leaving the residence as it became engulfed in flames. The alleged arson caused major damage to the family home.
When firefighters arrived at the scene, they spotted an armed man matching Crump's description about a block away from the burning building. After a brief search, police located Crump at a storage facility in the 39400 block of North Lewis Avenue, where he was taken into custody without incident.
Sheriff John D. Idleburg commented on the event, stating, "It's nothing short of a blessing that nobody was injured or killed in this senseless act."
Crump was officially booked into jail at 3:58am on November 28 and has been charged with aggravated arson and residential arson. During a court appearance on Friday, prosecutors revealed that Crump had stated he had no real care for the safety or well-being of his family. He is scheduled for a detention hearing on Monday.
