The cause of a fire late Friday night at the Super 8 on East Main Street in Newark has been ruled arson.
Deputy fire marshals determined that a person had intentionally ignited items inside the room. Investigators are following up on leads regarding those responsible for starting this fire.
Damage is estimated at $100,000. A 44-year-old man was transported to the Christiana Hospital for minor lacerations.
The Fire Marshal’s office announced later on Saturday that Larry E. O’Neal Jr., 44, of Wilmington was arrested and charged with Arson in the First Degree and Reckless Endangering in the First Degree. Both charges are felonies. O’Neal is waiting for an arraignment in the Justice of the Peace Magistrate Court.
The hotel has no sprinkler system.
Numerous area fire companies responded to the two-alarm blaze that was reported at 10:30 p.m. on Friday.
See post below from Aetna, Hose, Hook and Ladder Co., the fire department for the Newark area for additional details.
East Main Street, between Tyre Avenue and Newark Shopping Center, was closed for about three hours due to fire department activity and icy conditions that came from water used to fight the blaze.
