Endwell Motel Building Demolition Underway After Fatal Fire
A fire-damaged building at Knights Inn Endwell is being torn down more than three weeks after a blaze killed three children and three adults.
LCP Group of Vestal was retained for the demolition of the two-story structure on East Main Street where the fire broke out around 6 a.m. June 22.
Crews from the company starting knocking down the west end of the building around 1 p.m. Thursday.
The damaged structure is expected to be demolished completely by late Friday.
It will take several days to remove tons of demolition debris from the site. Because it contains asbestos, it cannot be hauled to the Broome County landfill. Instead, the material will be trucked to the Chautauqua County landfill in Jamestown.
Robert Mack, the town of Union supervisor, said the work to remove the building could not get underway until final approvals were received from an insurance company and the Broome County District Attorney's office.
24-year-old Tyler J. Russell has been charged with arson and six counts of manslaughter in connection with the fire. He was arrested several hours after the blaze was reported.
The Knights Inn is owned by Hiland Hospitality LLC. Motel representatives have declined to comment to WNBF News about the future of the property.
But Mack, the town supervisor, has said the owner is preparing to reopen an undamaged building at the site as soon as possible.
WNBF NEWS VIDEO: Demolition work at the Knights Inn Endwell motel began on July 16, 2026.
A PROGRESS REPORT: A look at the site on July 17, 2026.
Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com.
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