ATTLEBORO - A city man accused of setting fire to his clothing in a police station holding cell earlier this month has been declared competent to stand trial.

Jose A. Alamo, 51, who had no permanent address at the time of his arrest, was released Monday without bail after a bail hearing in Attleboro District Court.

Alamo had been held at Bridgewater State Hospital for a mental health competency evaluation after the Jan. 5 incident.

Judge James Sullivan rejected the prosecution's request to set bail at $5,000 based on the suspects lengthy criminal record and released Alamo without bail.

However, Alamo must report daily to the probation department and continue taking his medication. His lawyer, Neal Steingold of Providence, said Alamo had not been taking his medication when he was arrested on Lindsey Street for allegedly being a disorderly person.

Alamo allegedly lit his clothes on fire with a cigarette lighter while in a police department holding cell in the basement of the police station, causing extensive damage to the cell floor and door and filling the area with smoke.

Alamo was not injured in the incident.

He is due back in court Feb. 12 and must find a place to live. Steingold said Alamo is a father of six and has family in Attleboro.

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