UT student indicted: Lucas County Grand jury charges former cross-country runner with aggravated arson

The Lucas County Grand Jury indicted University of Toledo student Christopher Housel on Wednesday March 30 with aggravated arson.

According to the court journal for the case, Housel, a third-year individualized studies major, allegedly lit a “fireball” that severely burned student Janelle Noe at an off-campus party. The court journal said the Toledo Police took Housel into custody on March 2. He was released post-indictment after posting $5,000, which is 10 percent of his bond.

The original police report stated that Noe, a third-year pre-physical therapy major, attended a party at 4142 Dorchester Dr. in Toledo on Jan 15. At the party, someone sprayed 180-proof alcohol onto a candle, which ignited and caused the flame to spread.

Noe was treated after the incident in the intensive care unit at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center for burns covering over 50 percent of her body.

Housel and Noe both ran cross-country for the UT Cross Country team. Head Coach Linh Nguyen declined to comment on the matter.

A GoFundMe page, which is a crowd sourcing website, was created for Noe to help assist her and her family with paying for her medical expenses. The page has currently raised $24,385 with a goal of $30,000.

To make a donation you can go to www.gofundme.com/8pjjudhb.