Nigerian national charged in Etowah County jail fire

GADSDEN, Ala. (AP) - An Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainee has been charged in connection to a fire inside the Etowah County Detention Center.

Etowah County Lt. Robin Grant tells local media that 22-year-old Okiemute Omatie of Lagos, Nigeria, is charged with one count of first-degree arson and one count of destruction of state property in connection with the May 26 fire.

Grant says Omatie manipulated an electrical outlet with a small wire to start the fire. He says security video shows Omatie walking to a cell with a burning piece of paper. Omatie then allegedly set a mattress on fire.

No one was injured in the incident.

Omatie has been convicted of robbery, aggravated assault, possession of marijuana and other crimes. It's unclear if he has an attorney.