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MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP) A 19-year-old Moorhead man with a history of legal scrapes has received a one-year jail term and a suspended four-year prison term for starting a dormitory fire in December.

Christopher Lee Miller pleaded guilty earlier to setting the fire at Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Miller's attorney says the fire was a prank, and his client never intended to cause any harm.

Miller was leaving the dorm when he held a lighter to cotton balls on a Christmas decoration.

He fled after trying to pat out the fire.

A female student, who did not know Miller, doused the fire with water.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 09-30-08 0716CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list