NEWARK, DELAWARE (12/10/2018) A 44-year-old Wilmington man has been charged with arson following a fire at the Super 8 hotel in Newark, authorities said.
The fire was reported shortly after 10:30 p.m. Saturday at 268 E. Main St.
Newark police officers found a fire in a second-floor guest room and evacuated all occupants of the hotel. The occupant of the room with the fire was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries, police said.
The flames, which had spread to the roof, were extinguished by Aetna Hose Hook & Ladder Company.
East Main Street, between Tyre Avenue and Newark Shopping Center, was closed for about 3 hours due to fire department activity and the resulting icy roadway.
Investigators from the state Fire Marshal’s Office determined the blaze began when items in the room were set on fire.
Larry E. O’Neal Jr. was charged with first-degree arson and reckless endangering, both felonies.
He was being held Sunday at Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington in lieu of $10,000 secured bond, said Michael G. Chionchio, assistant state fire marshal.