A 27-year-old Shattuc man has been arrested for aggravated arson following a fire in a room at the Best Western in Centralia on Saturday morning.
Billy Muench of Indiana Street is accused of starting a small fire and breaking out a window in a fourth-floor room of the motel.
Centralia City Firemen were called to a smoke alarm in the room. Upon entry, they found a light haze but no active fire. A half-burned toilet paper roll was found in a trash can. The inside window was also broken, but an attempt to break the outside window was not successful.
Muench was out of his room, but still in the motel when firemen arrived. A search of records indicated Muench had allegedly used a false name when registering for the room. However, with witness descriptions, Centralia Police were able to identify Muench as the person they were seeking when he was found walking nearby on Jolliff Bridge Road. He reportedly had a lighter in his pocket.
Muench was taken to the Clinton County Jail to await a final decision on charges.
The motel estimated damage from the small fire and broken window at $7,000.
The smoke alarm was received at 6:45 on Saturday morning.
