Fond du Lac man charged with arson after fire damages home near downtown
FOND DU LAC - A 40-year-old Fond du Lac man faces arson charges in connection with a Dec. 7 fire that caused extensive damage to a home near the city's downtown.
Nathaneal J. Hankerson is being held in jail in lieu of $75,000 bail set during a court appearance Friday. He is charged with felony arson and criminal damage to property.
Firefighters were called out about 3 p.m. to the house fire at 302 N. Macy St.
Police arrested Hankerson at the scene, and court records state he told officers he wanted to burn down his house because he wanted to let go of his earthly possessions and the act would give him a shortcut to heaven.
Authorities said the 40-year-old stated that he poured gasoline on the floor in the dining room and kitchen area, then lighted a rag on fire and dropped it onto the pool of gasoline.
After the fire ignited, Hankerson left the home out the back door and called 911, according to statements attributed to him in court records.
Hankerson said to detectives he thought it was a bad idea a few times, then decided, "Once you go so far, you got to keep going."
If convicted of all charges Hankerson faces up to 43 ½ years in prison and a $110,000 fine.
He is scheduled to appear in court Friday for a preliminary hearing.
Contact Sharon Roznik at 920-907-7936 or sroznik@gannett.com. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/reporterroz/
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This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Fond du Lac man charged with arson in house fire on North Macy Street
