Chicago Man Allegedly Sets Building On Fire, Live Streams It While Confessing To Arson

A Chicago man was arrested Thursday for allegedly setting a residential building on fire, and live streaming the incident.

The accused, Edward Robinson, 19, live streamed his actions on Citizen, an app that allows users to broadcast live video straight from crime scenes in order for the cops to respond, CWB Chicago reported.

The app also claims to provide public safety by sending location-based safety alerts. However, it has faced heat for creating paranoia among users to get to the crime scene for content, Business Insider had reported.

"I’m live on the Citizen app! Gang!" Robinson was heard saying in the video, as firemen were seen behind him, working to contain the blazes that engulfed the rear end of the three-story building in Lawndale.

A moment later, the camera rotates to reveal Robinson, who was wearing a black hoodie and making hand gestures to showcase his excitement.

"Hey y’all. I’m gonna be honest with y’all. ... I just caused this fire with this torch in my pocket," Robinson says, as he points the camera to a lighter sticking out of his pants.

"The person recording is the reason this fire is happening," Robinson adds.

To give emphasis to his claims, Robinson again pans the camera down to his pants and confesses about starting the fire. "I caused this fire with this lighter."

The police said two females, aged 16 and 50, were in the house when the fire started around 6.30 p.m. ET. A person reportedly rang their doorbell and asked them to evacuate the home, CWB Chicago reported.

Robinson was arrested on charges of aggravated arson and possession of a controlled substance, according to NBC Chicago. He was held against a $500,000 bail and will be required to have electronic monitoring.

Officers learned about the arson after deputies monitoring the app alerted them to the confession.

The police suspect Robinson started a fire inside a dumpster before it spread to the building. "In this court’s opinion, you were there, you were filming, you were watching what occurred out of enjoyment," Illinois Circuit Court judge Arthur Willis told Robinson. "It’s through the grace of God that no one was hurt, killed, or injured in any way."