A man has been charged with six counts of manslaughter in connection with the fatal fire at the Knights Inn in Endwell.
As of 3:30 p.m. on June 22, New York State Police confirmed six people died as a result of the blaze, which was first reported at 6 a.m. and continued to burn throughout the morning. At least two people were taken to UHS Wilson Medical Center.
The inn, located on 2603 E Main St., sustained severe damage that could be seen from the exterior of the building. The flames were contained by 9:45 a.m., but smoke was still visible from outside.
What caused Knights Inn fire
While investigators have not announced how the fire began, they have determined it was intentionally set and an arrest has been made.
New York State Police announced late on June 22 that Tyler J. Russell, 24, of Endwell, was taken into custody and charged with six counts of second-degree manslaughter and one count of fourth-degree arson.
Russell was processed at SP Endwell then turned over to the Broome County jail for Centralized Arraignment. Troopers said the identities of the victims will be released at a later time and the investigation is ongoing.
Broome community rallied for displaced families in matter of hours
The fire displaced approximately 37 households, a total of 73 people who were living in the inn, according to a Red Cross volunteer’s estimate at the scene June 22. The motel has been used as emergency housing by the Broome County Department of Social Services to shelter unhoused people.
Vestal United Methodist Church at 328 Main St. opened its doors for those who have been displaced and need shelter. The site received so many donations people were being turned away by the late afternoon.
The United Way of Broome County started an emergency relief fund that had raised nearly $25,000 by 10 p.m. on June 22.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Arrest made in deadly Endwell motel fire that killed six people
Reporting by Jillian McCarthy, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
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By Jillian McCarthy, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin | USA TODAY Network
