Two NIU students arrested for a fire which broke out last week in Stevenson Towers South are banned temporarily from the residence halls while awaiting their hearing at the NIU Judicial Office.

John Belch, 20, 504 Stevenson Towers South, and David Pedersen, 19, 506 Stevenson Towers South, have been banned temporarily from the residence halls, said Larry Bolles, director of the University Judicial Office.

The two were banned from the residence halls for the safety of the students who live there, he said.

Bolles said there has been action taken to see that Belch and Pedersen don’t return to the dorms. Belch faces expulsion from NIU, and Pedersen faces expulsion from the residence halls, Bolles said. The students face trial next week, he said.

The fire, which displaced hundreds of STS residents for 5uu hours, was caused by bottle rockets, the DeKalb Fire Department report stated.

University Police Sergeant Richard Sheridan said the bottle rockets were shot under the door of room 519, where the fire started. The fire started near the door of the room, which was unoccupied at the time of the fire.

Director of Student Housing Don Buckner said the residents of room 519, Kevin Hummel and Paul Odle, will live in Gilbert Hall for the rest of the semester.

Buckner said the damage to the room is “much less” than the originally estimated $150,000, but said restoration of the room “will take a while.”

Belch was charged with one count of criminal damage to state-supported property and criminal damage to property in relation to the fire. Belch could face up to one to three years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines for both charges.

Pedersen was charged with disorderly conduct in relation to the fire. Pedersen could face up to one year in prison and up to $1,000 in fines.