SPRINGFIELD, IL – A 38-year-old Springfield man is facing multiple felony charges, including a Class X felony, after police say he intentionally set fire to a detached garage on the city’s south side, causing an explosion that injured emergency responders and damaged several nearby homes.

According to a police report obtained by Springfield Leaks, Christopher A. Jackson was arrested Sunday, October 25, 2026, in connection with a fire and explosion at 2172 S. 12th Street.

The Springfield Fire Department was dispatched to the residence for a reported structure fire. When firefighters arrived, they found a detached garage on fire. Shortly after their arrival, an explosion occurred, injuring multiple people, including two Springfield police officers and a firefighter.

The police report identifies Springfield Police Officer Ethan D. Brill and firefighter Mike Bartletti as two of those transported to a hospital for possible injuries. A second police officer and another individual were also transported to the hospital following the explosion.

However, police say this was not the first time emergency responders had been called to the property.

According to the police report, the Springfield Fire Department had responded to the residence at least 16 times over the previous six months for incidents involving Jackson allegedly starting illegal fires.

Police also say Jackson had an unusual encounter with firefighters just a week before the explosion.

According to police, Jackson rode his bicycle to Springfield Fire Station 6 on South 11th Street, where he attempted to sell firefighter helmets to personnel on duty. During that encounter, Jackson allegedly told firefighters that he “likes fires” and that he hoped they would “enjoy the show.”

The police report also describes an earlier dispute between Jackson and a neighboring resident. Following an argument several months earlier, Jackson allegedly lined lawn chairs along their shared property line and placed gasoline cans on the chairs in what police described as an attempt to intimidate the neighbor.

On the night of the explosion, a witness reportedly discovered the garage fire shortly after 9 p.m. and approached Jackson, who was inside the burning structure.

According to police, Jackson was the only person inside the garage while it was burning. When the witness informed him that his garage was on fire, Jackson allegedly acknowledged that he was aware of the flames.

Jackson then told the witness to back up. Despite knowing the garage was burning, police say Jackson made no attempt to call for help or ask anyone else to call for help.

Police later determined that the fire started inside the garage, on the south side near the east end of the structure.

According to the police report, the garage had neither electricity nor natural gas service, allowing investigators to rule out those utilities as potential ignition sources. Weather conditions were also ruled out as a contributing factor.

Police classified the fire as incendiary, meaning it was intentionally set.

Police allege Jackson knowingly started the fire that resulted in the explosion, injuries to emergency personnel, and damage to surrounding properties.

Police further reported that at least six residential buildings sustained damage from the explosion.

Jackson was booked on the following charges:

• Aggravated Arson — Fire/Police Injured (Class X Felony)
• Criminal Damage to Property Between $10,000 and $100,000 (Class 3 Felony)
• Residential Arson (Class 1 Felony)

In addition to those charges, police are also seeking a charge of Causing a Catastrophe. According to the police report, the charge is based on allegations that Jackson intentionally started a fire that caused an explosion, damaging six or more residential buildings. The report states that the charge applies when an intentionally triggered explosion damages at least five residential structures.