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Man, 66, Charged in Austin Nursing Home Fire

A 66-year-old Austin nursing home resident has been charged with arson after investigators said he set the building on fire.

The Austin American-Statesman reported that Radcliffe Finley was being held at the Travis County Jail Tuesday morning on $50,000 bond. Austin Fire Department investigators said Finley lit the blaze that caused 30 staff members and 122 residents to evacuate the Southpark Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Nov. 25.

Two staff members were treated for smoke inhalation.

A maintenance worker told investigators that Finley lit a pile of newspapers on fire in the middle of a room. Investigators said it was a suicide attempt.

A nurse said she took Finley outside after he pushed her to the ground and told her to leave.

Online jail records didn't list an attorney for Finley.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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