Jeremy Porter, facing arson and theft charges in connection with a fire in the parking garage of the O'Haire Motor Inn in Great Falls, pleaded not guilty on Thursday.
The fire broke out in a van in the lower-level parking area of the O'Haire Motor Inn at about 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21st. All hotel and bar customers and employees safely evacuated, and there were no injuries.
Witnesses told police that before the fire, they saw a man pulling boxes from the van, and then slam the door of the van. The man then got into a car and drove away "pretty fast." About 30 seconds later, a witness said she saw flames coming from the van, and she alerted hotel staff and called 911.