Wichita ? Firefighters and a motel manager who responded to cries for help in a smoke-filled motel room found a mattress set on fire and a naked man handcuffed to the toilet.

Fire officials said the man, in his mid-50s, suffered slight smoke inhalation. He was treated and released at a hospital after the fire early Friday morning.

The fire caused about $1,100 in damage to the Pawnee Inn on the city’s south side. Police are investigating the fire as aggravated arson and said robbery was a possible motive.

When the motel’s manager and owner, Babu Patel, was alerted to the blaze, he emptied three fire extinguishers into the room. Firefighters had to cut off the metal handcuffs to free the man.

Patel said 15 people were evacuated from their motel rooms because of the thick, toxic smoke.