LATHAM — Town of Colonie Fire Services and Colonie Police have determined the cause of the Cocca’s Travelodge Inn fire was arson.
Police also said a suspect has been identified, but charges will not be filed until her release from Albany Medical Center. The suspect is the victim that was transported to the hospital the night of the fire, and her information will be provided upon her arrest.
Some two dozen people were displaced after a fire Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Travelodge Inn & Suites.
The building’s second floor seemed to take the brunt of the damage, and there was debris scattered throughout the parking lot and the exterior stairwell of the hotel that is just north of the Latham Circle on New Loudon Road.
A 29-year-old woman was taken to Albany Medical Center. A number of outlets reported the woman was being treated for burns and smoke inhalation.
Northeastern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross was at the scene providing financial assistance for temporary shelter and other emergency aid to those affected, according to a press release. Twenty-five of the rooms were occupied at the time of the blaze.
The call came in at about 10:30 p.m., and crews from a dozen different fire departments from around the area assisted in putting out the fire.
