You’re reading a story from Sidelines 100, a project showcasing a century of student storytelling at Middle Tennessee State University. Sidelines 100 plans to highlight 100 stories from the newspaper archives this fall and spring.

This story originally ran in the Feb. 29, 1980, edition of Sidelines. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay on top of all things Sidelines 100.

The story has been updated for current basic AP style, but the wording in the story has not changed. Any ideas, perspectives or opinions do not necessarily reflect those of Sidelines.

David English, a 19-year old MTSU student, was arrested by University Police Wednesday afternoon on charges of arson in connection with last week’s Beasley Hall fire.

English will appear in General Sessions Court March 6 at 9 a.m.

“The investigation was conducted mainly through the offices of the State Fire Marshall and Dean Ivan Shewmake,” said Capt. Larry Nixon, of the university police. Serving the arrest warrant were Sgt. Brett Bonham, Det. John Driver and Nixon.

Rick Prendergast of the Tennessee Fire Marshall’s Office said that while conducting an investigation on the fire at H-Hall, he received leads connection English to the Beasley fire.

About the problems of having to prove that the fire was intentionally set, Prendergast stated, “A mattress burning in a second floor bathroom does not happen by accident. That alone indicates that it [the fire] was deliberately set.”

He added that studies of this week’s fire in the lobby of H-Hall were being made at the State laboratory and that results should be available in a few weeks.

The charge of arson is being pressed by the office of the Fire Marshall, Nixon said. If found guilt, English could face a jail sentence of three to 21 years.

Deputy F.E. Franklin, of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department, said that English was booked into custody at the Rutherford County Jail and had already posted bond of $2,500.

According to Nixon, English has already moved his personal belongings out of his room located in Beasley Hall.