$1M Bond Set for Woman Charged with Starting Woodridge Apartment Fire

A Rosemont woman has been charged with aggravated arson after authorities say she set a fire in the hallway of the Windsor Lakes apartment complex Monday. 

Maria Bustamante, 29, of the 2800 block of Irving Park Road in Rosemont, faces one count of aggravated arson, a felony punishable by up to 30 years in jail. Bustamante appeared in bond court Thursday. Her bond was set at $1 million. 

Officials said Bustamante entered the apartment building in the 7300 block of Woodward Avenue around 3 a.m. and started a fire in a hallway just outside the door to one of its units. 

No one was injured in the fire, which created "a great deal of smoke" in the hallways of the building, according to a press release from the . 

"It is further alleged that Bustamante did so knowing that, because of the time at night, apartment units throughout the building may be occupied by sleeping residents," a press release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office said. 

“The allegations against Ms. Bustamante are outrageous,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in the release. “Thankfully, no one was injured in the fire. I would like to thank the Downers Grove, Pleasantview, Argonne, Lisle-Woodridge and Westmont fire departments for their quick response and for getting the situation under control as quickly as they did.”

The fire primarily involved carpet and the apartment door and caused about $25,000 in damages, according to officials.

One resident fled a smoky hallway through a first-floor window. Residents were evacuated and then allowed to return to their apartments once the fire was extinguished.

Bustamante’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 19 in front of Judge John Kinsella.