ENDWELL, NY - On June 22, 2026, at approximately 6:01 a.m., the Broome County 911 Center received multiple reports of a fire at the Knights Inn, located at 2603 East Main Street in Endwell. Shortly after 6:00 a.m., members of the Endwell Fire Department arrived to find heavy black smoke in the front of the building and flames showing from the rear of the building, with the fire spreading rapidly. 

Multiple Fire Departments, ambulance crews and police agencies arrived on scene to assist, including the New York State Office of Fire, Broome County Office of Emergency Services, Broome County Sheriff’s Department, Broome County Executive, the Town of Union Supervisor, and Broome County Mobile Crisis Response Team.

Fire Departments responding included: Endwell Fire Department, Endicott Fire Department, West Endicott Fire Department, Union Center Fire Department, West Corners Fire Department, Johnson City Fire Department, Vestal Fire Department, Five Mile Point Fire Department, Prospect Terrace Fire Department, Binghamton Fire Department, and Office of Emergency Services.

Ambulance Companies responding included: Superior Ambulance, Union Ambulance, Broome Ambulance, and Maine Ambulance.

A total of six fatalities were confirmed, including a 58-year-old woman and a family of five.

The Broome County Fire Investigation Team with support from New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control determined the origin of the fire involved human factors and eliminated other possibilities like electrical or natural in cause which ultimately led to the arrest of Tyler J. Russell, 24 of Endwell, on June 22, 2026. Russell was charged with six counts of Manslaughter in the 2nd degree, a class “C” felony and one count of Arson in the 4th degree, a class “E” felony.