STEELE, N.D. (AP) _ A Texas man accused of burning down a hotel
in North Dakota now faces 19 felony charges.
Fifty-year-old Allen Thomas was charged earlier with arson in
the Aug. 12 fire at the Lone Steer Motel in Steele. The Houston man
now also faces 18 counts of endangering by fire or explosion. All
of the charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison upon
conviction.
No one was hurt in the fire but about two dozen people were
displaced. Authorities have said little about why Thomas is
believed to have started the blaze.
The Bismarck Tribune reports that Thomas made his initial court
appearance on the new charges Monday. He was given an application
for a public defender.