Posted: Oct 15, 2011 8:32 PM by Jeff Allen, Reporter
Updated: Oct 15, 2011 8:36 PM
An Eastern Kentucky University freshman accused of setting fires in his dorm Thursday, talked to LEX 18 from jail Saturday.
Samuel McFarland, a freshman criminal justice major from Whitley County, denies wrongdoing, and says he actually tried to help put one of the fires out.
McFarland says he was in Commonwealth Hall when the fires broke out about four o'clock Thursday morning, but he says he was with two young women several floors below where the fires broke out.
"I was on the fifth floor when there was this huge siren and they were telling us to get out of the building," says McFarland.
But instead of getting out of the building, McFarland says he instead went up to his room on the eighth floor to get his wallet. He says that's where he tried to put one of the fires out.
Fire investigators say several bulletin boards and posters were set on fire on two different floors.
"Everybody was just walking by this big poster on the wall burning like it was nothing ... so I ripped it down and started stomping."
The freshman eventually made his way out of the dorm, along with about 400 other students who had to stay elsewhere for the rest of the night.
But police ended up arresting the 19 year old for public intoxication.
"I was drunk off my rear-end that night."
McFarland was eventually released from jail, but then Eastern Kentucky University police arrested him again Friday night. They charged the freshman with arson, criminal mischief, and wanton endangerment.
But McFarland insists he's not the one who set the fires.
"It's impossible for them to have any evidence against me because I didn't do anything ... it's impossible ... so I'm not worried. Unless someone plants it, there's nothing against me ... so I'm not worried."
Samuel McFarland remained in the Madison County Detention Center Saturday on a $50,000 bond. He's expected to be arraigned Monday.
No one was hurt in the fire.
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