The 19-year-old McMaster student accused of setting Brandon Hall alight Oct. 18 wept as he was released into the custody of his parents this afternoon.

Hamilton police arrested Emerson Pardoe at the university campus yesterday and charged him with arson endangering human life and arson endangering property. He was held overnight and released this afternoon on $50,000 bail and ordered to stay with his parents in Scarborough.

He must have no contact with any students or staff at McMaster.

Pardoe appeared extremely upset during his hearing, weeping, pulling his brown hoodie over his head and holding his face in his hands as he rocked forward almost to his knees. His parents sat quietly in the courtroom as the case was heard.

Father Raymond Pardoe declined to comment outside the courtroom.

Emerson Pardoe's next court appearance is Dec. 16 at 9 a.m.

He is a first-year student who was living at Brandon Hall at the time of the Oct. 18 fire which forced almost 600 students out the residence in the early morning hours.

The blaze originated in the building's bank of elevators and severely damaged the electrical and elevator systems. Four people suffered smoke inhalation and were treated in hospital.

Residents were told at a public meeting days later they could not return to their rooms until repairs to the buildings systems were completed which might last till January at the earliest.

A majority of students now reside in a series of downtown hotels and are waiting until they can return to live on campus.Pardoe is among those relocated downtown.