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Student who broadcast suicide attempt charged with arson

Dec. 12, 2013, Guelph, Ont. – An Ontario university student has been charged with arson after a dorm room was set on fire in an apparent suicide attempt that was broadcast online.

Police, fire officials and emergency workers were called to a student residence at the University of Guelph on Nov. 30.

A 21-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries while damage from the blaze was estimated in the thousands of dollars.

In the days that followed, the university issued an urgent plea for people to refrain from watching the online video of the "traumatic event," which had sparked what the institution called "disturbing social media activity."

Guelph police said Thursday that they had laid one charge of arson with disregard for human life against the student at the centre of the incident.

The man from Orangeville, Ont., is to appear in court Jan. 24.