Broome County officials and New York State Police on Thursday identified the six victims of the deadly fire at the Knights Inn in Endwell earlier this week, which included three children.
According to New York State Police Troop C BCI Capt. Lucas Anthony, one of the victims, 58-year-old Michelle Woolfork, was on the first floor. The other victims were a family of five on the second floor – Josh Molyneaux, 29, and Domonique Cruz-Champion, 27; and their three children – Ella, 3, Romyn, 2, and 10-month-old Zachariah.
Officials also said the suspect arrested for the blaze, Tyler J. Russell, 24, had been staying on the first floor of the building at the time.
According to Anthony, 911 calls came in around 5:59 a.m. Monday for the fire, which had spread quickly by the time emergency crews had arrived on scene, with the roof of the structure collapsing in a matter of minutes.
“Using their expertise, the fire investigators were able to determine that the origin of the fire involved human factors and eliminated other possibilities such as electrical or natural cause,” Anthony said.
Anthony said investigators also determined where in the building the fire was started.
Russell, the suspect, was located later Monday at Wilson Medical Center in Binghamton. Anthony said he had been brought there for injuries unrelated to the fire, as he had fallen in the parking lot. Investigators located a lighter they believe was used to start the fire.
Officials declined to elaborate on a possible motive.
“There are no other suspects being sought,” Anthony said.
Russell has been charged with six counts of second-degree manslaughter and one count of fourth-degree arson. He was arraigned and remanded without bail for grand jury action. Broome County District Attorney Paul Battisti said the charges could change during the grand jury process.
The Knights Inn is one of several hotels and motels used by the Broome County Department of Social Services to house families experiencing homelessness. Brianna Cornelius, a resident of the Knights Inn, told Spectrum News 1 she and her family had been there for about three weeks and felt like the conditions of the hotel were not safe.
Asked about this Thursday, county leaders said the Town of Union is responsible for monthly inspections of the site.