Guelph student charged with arson in apparent suicide attempt

A Canadian university student attempted suicide on the social media network 4chan.

A University of Guelph student who allegedly set fire to his dorm room in an apparent suicide attempt that was streamed online has been charged with arson–disregard for human life, according to police in the Ontario city.

The 21-year-old male student, who is from Orangeville, Ont., is accused of setting fire to his fourth-floor dorm room in Dundas Hall at the East Residence on Nov. 30. The student announced on an anonymous message board that he intended to kill himself and then broadcast the video live.

The Guelph fire department responded that evening and extinguished the fire. The male student was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Police say the damage is estimated in the "thousands" of dollars.

The student is scheduled to appear in court at the end of January.