A Patten Towers resident has been arrested after admitting to setting fires in his room and then leaving the high-rise building.
William C. McConnell said he then left the building in his car and returned after the fire department had arrived.
McConnell, 44, is charged with aggravated arson.
In the incident on May 25, the fire department responded to Apt. 8G on the eighth floor. There were fire in the unit and smoke in the hallway.
A large number of handicapped residents had to be evacuated from the building.
McConnell said he turned his stove top on high and lit paper. He said he started five separate fires, including in the kitchen, bedroom, hallway, closet and by the front door.
He said he started the fires "to get the people out of my apartment."
McConnell said that he "was dead and his name was the devil."
He was taken to Moccasin Bend Psychiatric Hospital for an evaluation, then arrested.