Police: Purdue arson suspect confessed

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The Purdue Student Safety Patrol officer accused of starting two fires at the Elliott Hall of Music appeared before a judge Thursday.

22-year-old Isaiah Peedin was jailed on a preliminary charge of arson.

Court documents filed in the case said Peedin first told police he was on fire watch duty at Elliott Hall Monday night when he noticed flames coming from a basement bulletin board. He initially claimed a man dropped a sock hat and lighter as he fled the scene.

But court documents said when police talked to Peedin the next day, Peedin confessed to starting both fires.

A calculus exam was taking place that evening in Elliott Hall, and 900 people were in the building when the fire started.

They were all evacuated.

No one was injured in the fire.