New York State Police have identified the six people killed in a fire at a Broome County, New York, motel Monday, including a woman and a family of five, as investigators released new details Thursday.
Six victims identified in deadly motel fire
The six people killed in the fire at the Knights Inn in Endwell were identified as:
Authorities said Woolfolk was found in a first-floor room of the motel. Molyneaux, Cruz-Champion and their three children were found on the second floor.
During the news conference, New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said Gov. Kathy Hochul asked him to deliver a message of support to the community.
“New York stands, undoubtedly, with the community,” James said.
Man charged in connection with fire
Tyler J. Russell, 24, of Endwell, was charged Monday night with six counts of second-degree manslaughter and one count of fourth-degree arson, all felonies, state police said.
Russell was living on the first floor of the Knights Inn at the time of the fire, according to Capt. Lucas Anthony of the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Anthony said investigators from state police and the Broome County Fire Investigation Team determined the fire was caused by human actions and ruled out electrical and natural causes. Investigators also identified the specific location where the fire began inside the motel.
Broome County District Attorney Paul Battisti said investigators recovered a lighter they believe was used to start the fire, but he declined to provide additional details about Russell’s alleged involvement.
Russell was arrested Monday night at Wilson Hospital, where he was being treated for injuries unrelated to the fire, Battisti said.
He was arraigned through the Centralized Arraignment Part and is being held without bail at the Broome County Jail pending grand jury action.
Battisti said the investigation remains active and urged anyone with information to call 607-561-7400.
“There was a lot of people there that day,” Battisti said. “People know things, people saw things and people heard things. Reach out to that number.”
Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the charges.
What happened at the Knights Inn?
The fire broke out shortly after 6 a.m. Monday at the Knights Inn, 2603 E. Main St. in Endwell.
Heavy smoke and flames quickly engulfed portions of the two-story building, eventually burning through the roof.
Firefighters from at least 10 departments responded and spent several hours battling the blaze before bringing it under control.
Anthony expressed sympathy for the victims’ families and thanked first responders who searched the building.
“As everyone’s aware, this was a fatal incident,” Anthony said. “The task of searching through fire for human remains, especially those of children, is an unenviable but necessary measure.”
The crime scene has been released by investigators, but the building remains unsafe and inaccessible, Anthony said.
Six killed, two injured
State police said six people died in the fire.
Two others were injured, though neither suffered life-threatening injuries. One person was treated and released from a local hospital, while another was treated at the scene.
Why were people living at the motel?
The Knights Inn was being used by the Broome County Department of Social Services as emergency housing for people experiencing homelessness.
The American Red Cross estimated that 73 residents were displaced by the fire.
Vestal United Methodist Church was opened as a temporary shelter for those affected.
Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said county officials have made multiple visits to the shelter, where volunteers are providing meals, helping families find housing, connecting residents with community resources and offering support.
“In the middle of such heartbreak, what I saw at that shelter was the very best of Broome County,” Garnar said.
Community responds to tragedy
Community organizations quickly mobilized to help displaced residents.
As of Thursday, more than $52,000 had been donated to an emergency relief fund established by the United Way of Broome County.
Many residents lost housing, clothing, medications and other personal belongings in the fire.
Watch the press briefing
What remains unknown?
Authorities have not publicly explained what led to Russell’s arrest or released details about how the fire started beyond allegations involving a lighter recovered during the investigation.
State police said the investigation remains ongoing.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Six victims identified in deadly NY motel fire; man charged with arson, manslaughter
Reporting by Madison Scott and Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Madison Scott and Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team | USA TODAY Network
