Bail was denied Wednesday for the man charged with starting a fire in Lombard that killed his ex-girlfriend and left her current boyfriend critically injured.
Prosecutors said 23-year old Todd Mandoline was at the house in the 1000 block of South Athen's Avenue celebrating Paula Morgan's birthday on Sunday. At some point, a fight broke out and Mandoline was asked to leave.
Mandoline was driven home, but later returned.
"The defendant became enraged, picked up a piece of paper put it in the gas tank of the victims car parked in her driveway and took a lighter and set it on fire," said DuPage County States Attorney Bob Berlin.
The fire spread from the car to the house, engulfing it in flames.
Morgan was pronounced dead at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. Her current boyfriend, a man reportedly in his 20s, was listed in critical condition at a local hospital. Morgan's 6-year-old son managed to escape
Mandoline was charged Tuesday with one count of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated arson, one count of arson and one count of criminal damage to property.
"After initial denial, he ultimately did admit setting the fire that caused the victim's death," said Berlin.
Officials estimate the blaze caused at least $275,000 in damage to the home.
