Local News in Brief
A former resident of the Sara Frances Hometel pleaded guilty Wednesday to recklessly starting a Dec. 20 fire that caused $500,000 in damage and left more than 100 people homeless.
Reginald Hughes, 45, entered his plea before San Diego Superior Court Judge J. Richard Haden, who set sentencing for April 8.
Hughes could receive a four-year state prison term and a $10,000 fine. However, in a plea agreement, the judge indicated that he would consider reducing the charge to a misdemeanor at sentencing if Hughes is accepted into a board and care facility.
Hughes was believed to have started the fire after lighting a cigarette in his room and leaving it burning. Testimony at his preliminary hearing last month revealed that Hughes had been burned by a small fire in his bed after he fell asleep while smoking several weeks earlier.
More than 100 firefighters rushed to the scene of the 4:30 p.m. fire on 10th Avenue in downtown San Diego. Five people were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
The Sara Frances Hometel--a 95-year-old residential hotel--was formerly called the Keystone Hotel.
Hughes remains in County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail and has been in custody since his arrest Dec. 20. He lived at the hotel for seven years.
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