A Manhattan man is accused of setting a fire inside a hotel Wednesday morning.
The Riley County Police Department says a call for a fire alarm was reported just before 7:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 500 block of South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. RCPD officers and Manhattan Fire Department firefighters responded and located an activated sprinkler head on the building’s fourth floor. Fire investigators determined an unknown item was ignited causing the sprinkler to activate. Fire loss is estimated at $500 with the area also sustaining significant water damage.
Police arrested 32-year-old Gerry Phillips on a charge of aggravated arson. His bond is set at $20,000. He remains detained and authorities are continuing to investigate the matter.
