A 38-year-old man was arrested on charges of aggravated arson, for allegedly starting a fire in an apartment about 7:30pm Wednesday evening at 2nd and Crawford.

Lt. Scott Siemsen says that Robert Walker was invited to the apartment of 36-year-old Paul J. Smith, whom he had recently met.

Walker is alleged to have set a bed on fire and a trash can in a bathroom, and then left.

Walker was arrested later by police on a charge of aggravated arson.

The fire was confined to the one apartment, but there was smoke damage in the apartment building, and residents were assisted by the Red Cross to find a place to stay until they could return.

Damage estimated at $35,000.

Siemsen says an investigation continues to see if Walker could be connected to other arson fires in Salina earlier this month at 107 E. Jewell and 604 S. 9th.