A Schiller Park man, Stephen Habel, 46, faces charges of aggravated arson and arson following a fire at Cafe Brauer, a popular venue at Lincoln Park Zoo. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Habel was charged with arson causing injury to a firefighter in connection with the November blaze.

The incident occurred around 4:20 a.m. on Nov. 22, when Habel allegedly entered a storage area at the café, opened the valve of a propane tank, and ignited the gas using a cigarette, as reported by CBS News Chicago. The consequent fire necessitated a response from the Chicago Fire Department, which quickly tamed the flames, though not without a hazardous materials alarm due to the flammable nature of the propane.

One firefighter sustained a "very minor" injury according to fire department spokesperson Larry Langford. Habel, found in the storage area, was not injured by the fire but was hospitalized in fair condition for a medical issue at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. While initial speculations signaled Habel might have been seeking warmth, the motive remains formally unaddressed in court documents or charges.

Zoo officials have confirmed the safety of all animals, indicating the fire did not encroach upon any enclosures. Habel, apprehended on charges of starting the fire, experienced his first court appearance where a judge ordered him held in custody pending trial. His court date is set for Dec. 19.