WILLISTON - Bond has been set at $100,000 cash for a hotel fire suspect who was arrested after seeking medical treatment at a local hospital.

Paul Cox, 37, was arrested without incident Wednesday when another person in the hospital recognized him from photographs in the media, said Police Detective Mark Hanson.

"He said he had quite a bit of lower back pain," Hanson said. "He had his mother bring him up there" to the hospital.

Hanson, citing the ongoing investigation, declined to say whether Cox identified himself to hospital personnel.

"They had not checked him in yet by the time he was arrested," Hanson said.

Cox is accused in a June 30 blaze at the Travel Host hotel that authorities believe was started by a methamphetamine lab set up in a room. Firefighters alerted police to the presence of items and substances used to make the illegal drug, and authorities issued an arrest warrant for Cox.

Williams County State's Attorney Nicole Foster said Cox made his initial appearance in Northwest District Court on Thursday, where bond was set and Cox was ordered to stay away from the hotel.

Foster said Friday that Cox had not posted the bond and remained in custody.

He is charged with drug manufacturing, possession of paraphernalia and reckless endangerment. If convicted on the felony charges he faces up to 30 years in prison.

About 160 people were safely evacuated from the hotel during the early morning fire. A 60-year-old man was treated at the hospital for heart trouble after warning guests.

Damage to the hotel room was estimated at $10,000.