James Ellis admitted Wednesday he set a fire in a multi-unit residence in Sault Ste. Marie's east end two years ago.
He pleaded guilty to arson for starting a fire in a blue recycling bin in the first-floor laundry room of a Terry Fox Place apartment building.
His actions just before 8 p.m. on Feb. 25, 2021 were captured on a security camera, Superior Court Justice Edward Gareau heard.
The fire alarm went off and smoke filled the room, prosecutor Trent Wilson said in a brief outline of the facts.
No one else was seen in the video at that time, and Ellis was wearing the same clothing as the man who lit the fire.
When Ellis, 42, was charged, city police indicated the fire was extinguished with minimal damage.
At the request of defence lawyer Eric McCooeye, sentencing was adjourned to July 11 so that a pre-sentence report can be prepared.
The lawyers likely will have a joint submission on sentence, he told Gareau.