According to a criminal complaint, on May 7, Eder H. Rojas, 19, started a fire in the restroom of a Northwest Airlines flight, traveling from Minneapolis to Regina, Sask. A flight attendant discovered the fire and flight 2040 was forced to make an emergency landing in Fargo, N.D, authorities said.

He allegedly smuggled a lighter onboard and lit a pile of paper towels in the plane's bathroom about 35 minutes into the flight. The indicator light showed smoke in the rear bathroom, Pilot Steve Peterka told authorities. He called Rojas and asked him to check the bathroom. Rojas, another flight attendant and a passenger were credited with quickly putting out the flames with fire extinguishers, authorities said.

The Compass Airlines Flight was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members. They all landed safely. No injuries were reported.

After his arrest in Minneapolis, Eder H. Rojas appeared in court Thursday and ordered held without a bail, prosecutors said. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

According to court documents, Rajas, of the Twin Cities suburb of Woodbury, told authorities he was upset at the airline because he had to work on the route.

“Rojas further stated that he was preparing his cart to serve the passengers, he set the cart up, went back to the lavatory and reached in with his right hand and lit the paper towels with the lighter,” according to court documents.