Knights Inn Endwell May Reopen After Fire That Killed Six People

The owner of the Endwell motel where a raging blaze resulted in the deaths of three children and three adults may be preparing to reopen the business.

Fire raced through a two-story building at the Knights Inn on East Main Street shortly after 6 a.m. June 22.

Six people died and more than 70 people were displaced as a result of the blaze.

Children's toys and flowers were placed at a memorial in front of Knights Inn Endwell on July 6, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

State police said 24-year-old Tyler J. Russell of Endwell was arrested several hours after the fire broke out. He has been charged with six counts of manslaughter and one count of arson.

LCP Group of Vestal has been retained to demolish what remains of the fire-damaged structure.

Robert Mack, the town of Union supervisor, said the demolition company is "ready to go" after an insurance company gives the go-ahead.

A fire alarm pull station at the closed Knights Inn motel on July 6, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

With state police and fire investigators ruling the blaze arson, it's unclear why the company has delayed authorizing the project to tear down the wrecked building.

Larry Pierce of LCP Group said he was prepared to send crews to the site on Monday to start the demolition but the approval had not been received.

According to public records, the property is owned by Hiland Hospitality LLC. It was acquired for $986,000 in 2005.

A section of the fire-damaged second floor at Knights Inn Endwell. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Mack said the owner has been working with town codes officials to reopen an undamaged Knights Inn building. He said the owner seems "anxious to get it up and running."

A man who answered the phone at the Knights Inn Endwell Monday afternoon said the owner and the manager of the motel could not be contacted to discuss the future of the business.

The employee said he did not know whether the remaining building will open again. He said "this is a very tragic event for all."

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: An update from the Knights Inn on East Main Street in Endwell on July 6, 2026.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com.

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