Eastern Michigan University student charged with arson

An Eastern Michigan University student accused of setting a small fire Wednesday in a bathroom at the Student Center told police he planned to burn the building down, but changed his mind, EMU Interim Public Safety Director Bob Heighes said.

Paul Travis McClendon, 55, of Ypsilanti Township, was arraigned this afternoon at the Washtenaw County Jail on a charge of arson.

McClendon is accused of wadding up some toilet paper in a unisex bathroom, setting the paper on fire and throwing it in a trash can, Heighes said. McClendon left the bathroom, Heighes said, but the fire continued.

Ypsilanti firefighters responded to an alarm at 12:31 a.m. Wednesday and found that a sprinkler system had activated, and the fire was under control, Fire Capt. Dan Cain said. Because of flooding, total damage was estimated at $15,000, Cain said.

Police arrested McClendon a couple of hours later on campus after reviewing surveillance footage that showed him leaving the building around the time of the fire, Heighes said.

Heighes said McClendon admitted to setting the fire and told investigators he planned to burn the building down, but changed his mind. McClendon, who is a part-time student, has been suspended from school, Heighes said.

Magistrate Thomas Truesdell set bond at $5,000 cash or surety, jail officials said this afternoon. McClendon also is wanted on a larceny charge out of Troy, officials said.

If convicted of arson, McClendon faces up to 10 years in prison. He is scheduled to return to court Sept. 20 for a preliminary hearing.

Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.