Overview
- A fast-moving fire at the Knights Inn in Endwell early Monday morning spread through the motel, killing six people and sending at least two others to hospital.
- State Police arrested 24-year-old Tyler J. Russell and charged him with six counts of second-degree manslaughter and one arson count; he was booked into the Broome County Jail.
- Authorities have not released the victims' names and say the exact cause and any motive remain under active investigation.
- Dozens of guests were displaced and relief groups set up temporary shelter and aid, with a Red Cross volunteer estimating about 73 people affected and the United Way raising emergency funds.
- Local reports say the motel has been used to house people via Broome County social services and that the suspect was recently on parole for a prior conviction, but those details have not been confirmed by police.