Man Charged with Arson and Manslaughter in Deadly New York Hotel Fire

Tyler Russell, a 24-year-old man released on parole earlier this year after a grand larceny conviction, has been charged with six counts of second-degree manslaughter and one count of arson in connection with a fire at the Knights Inn in Endwell, New York, which resulted in six fatalities and displaced dozens of residents. New York State Police reported that first responders arrived at the scene around 6 a.m. on June 24, 2026, to find the hotel fully engulfed in flames. The fire spread quickly, prompting assistance from additional fire departments and law enforcement agencies. Two individuals were hospitalized for treatment, but the victims have not yet been publicly identified. The Endwell Fire Department expressed condolences to the victims' families and confirmed that the American Red Cross is assisting those displaced by the fire, with a temporary shelter set up at Vestal United Methodist Church. An emergency relief fund has also been established by the United Way of Broome County. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, and Russell is currently held at Broome County Jail pending arraignment.