A 25-year-old man who climbed 300 feet to the top of scaffolding around the Lowell House bell tower late last night was taken into custody by police shortly before midnight, police said.

Police and fire officials said they were unable to identify the man. but they said he is not a Harvard student.

Police said he offered no resistance, was strapped into a wheelchair and was taken to Cambridge Hospital's psychiatric ward for observation.

"He was more or less passed out on the scaffolding," said a Cambridge firefighter.

Harvard police responded to the scene after being notified by a Lowell security guard. Cambridge firefighters were also on the scene with a ladder truck

Witnesses said the man had spent part of last night in the Bow and Arrow Pub on Bow St.

Lowell House Master William H Bossert '59 said a similar incident had occurred in August.

The scaffolding is being used as part of a $35 million renovation on the Houses.