To a man from Tennessee, burning a few papers in a hotel bathroom in Sioux Falls might have seemed like a good idea, but he wound up arrested Sunday morning on arson and drug charges.

Information Officer Sam Clemens says the man was staying at the Super-8 on West Russell Street when he decided to get rid of some papers by burning them in the bathroom sink, but he told police his fire got "out of control":

Clemens says 24-year-old Terry Jordan Malott of Kingsport, Tennessee was charged with reckless burning and possession of a controlled substance, after a syringe with methamphetamine was found in the room. Both charges are felonies.

Clemens says Malott called for help around 10am Sunday when he had trouble breathing.

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