UPDATE: 11:51 am

Officials responded to a report of a room fire at the Grizzly Inn in Great Falls Thursday evening around 6:15 p.m.

The charging documents state that the defendant, Julius John Erving Lowe, told police he got into a fight with gang members who allegedly turned off the alarm system and threatened him.

Lowe reportedly told police he set fire to toilet paper to activate the smoke detectors and “override the system.”

The indictment states that there was significant damage to the hotel room and that Lowe allegedly set fire to the bed in the hotel room.

The damage caused by the fire will require extensive repairs and will cost approximately $1,500.

According to the indictment, the fire endangered the lives of more than 100 hotel guests and employees.

Lowe's bail is set at $40,000 and he is charged with arson. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.

Below is a press release from Great Falls Fire Rescue:

GREAT FALLS, Mont. – At 6:09 p.m. this evening, the Great Falls Fire Department responded to a fire at the Grizzly Inn, 1214 13th St S. Engine 1 and Battalion 1 arrived on scene at 6:12 p.m. to find hotel guests evacuating. Smoke was coming from room 130. At 6:19 p.m., Engine 1 and Battalion 1 discovered a smoking mattress in the room. Engine 1 was able to force entry into the room and quickly extinguished the mattress and other small fires. The fire was contained to room 130. There was minor smoke damage in the first floor hallway. All other rooms in the hotel were unaffected by the fire and remained in use. The room guest was arrested by GFPD and charged with arson. One hotel guest was transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation. None of the other hotel guests had any other complaints.