The Office of Public Safety arrested Ithaca College freshman Alexander Carfi of Roslyn Heights, N.Y., yesterday in connection with four of the twelve fires that have occurred on campus this semester.

Officer Tom Dunn said Carfi was arraigned immediately upon arrest in the Town of Ithaca Court and was released on his own recognizance. He said Public Safety interviewed the student yesterday, and he said he was responsible for starting two fires that occurred in D Lot and two fires that occurred outside of Emerson Hall.

Dunn said Carfi was charged with arson, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief because one of the fires caused damage to Emerson Hall and the recycle containers outside the northeast exit of the building.

“Since the building went into the alarm and people needed to exit the building, and that was one of the means of egress, and there was damage to the building we charged the person,” Dunn said.

He was charged with one count of fourth degree arson and a misdemeanor count for both criminal mischief and reckless endangerment. The charges are in connection with the fire that occurred on Nov. 9 that damaged Emerson Hall. Four counts of fifth degree arson and a misdemeanor are also pending against him for four other fires that have occurred this semester.

Dunn said Carfi will reappear in Town of Ithaca court with a defense attorney Thursday and does not know if he will plead guilty or not guilty. He said a charge would be made and the case would go to trial. He said Public Safety most likely will not be testifying on Thursday, but may in the trial.

Carfi was a resident of Emerson Hall and was removed from campus. The Office of Public Safety and the Ithaca Fire Department are still investigating the incident.