DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - A Decatur man accused of assaulting several hospital staff members last week will remain behind bars after a judge denied his pretrial release.
Decatur firefighters were sent to a home in the 1600 block of North Oakland Avenue around 9:10 a.m. following reports of a residential fire with someone possibly trapped inside.
Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from the house. The resident, later identified as 23-year-old Michael Fiorito, was located safely outside of the home.
A pit bull was found dead inside the home.
According to a sworn statement, Decatur police saw that Fiorito had several injuries, including burn marks across his body. He was also found covered in black soot.
Police later spoke with his aunt, who had shown officers photos and videos of Fiorito covering himself in gasoline and threatening to light himself on fire.
The sworn said there was another video of Fiorito lighting a blanket on fire inside the home.
He was taken to Decatur Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Police were sent to DMH on Friday because Fiorito was said to have begun damaging property in his hospital room and assaulting hospital staff.
DPD said that no one was severely hurt, but he had caused thousands of dollars' worth of damage to hospital property.
Fiorito will remain in the Macon County Jail, and his next court appearance is Sept. 10.
Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
