Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man has been charged with allegedly setting fire to an apartment building in southwest Rochester last week.

A criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court states that Rochester firefighters and police responded to reports of an active fire at a multi-unit residential building shortly after 1 AM on Thursday. The officers called to the scene investigated the origin of the fire and found that it was likely started at two different windows near the front entrance.

Investigators Found Evidence of a Chemical Accelerant at the Scene

According to the court document, a strong chemical-like odor consistent with a fire accelerant was detected at each of the windows. An officer also reported seeing fresh liquid stains on a window screen that smelled strongly of chemicals.

The criminal complaint says a person, identified as the victim in the case, told police the fire was started by 24-year-old Ellis Doyle Spencer. Although the victim did not see Spencer start the fire, the victim stated that Spencer had issued a threat earlier in the day, and allegedly told the victim that he knew where the victim lives and that he was going to set the apartment building on fire.

The charging document says surveillance camera video shows that Spencer entered and exited the building several times throughout the day before the fire. He is also seen on the video walking past the front door about an hour before the fire was reported.

The criminal complaint says the manager of the apartment complex told police that 21 of the residential units were occupied at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported.

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Spencer is facing two counts of first-degree arson. He was formally arraigned on the charges in Olmsted County Court Monday morning. His bail was set at $100,000.

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