NORTH BERGEN AND JERSEY CITY — The Record of Hackensack reports that police believe a small fire set at a North Bergen motel in the middle of the night was set by a guest from Jersey City who was upset at his family.
He was reportedly staying with his girlfriend at the motel, though.
The newspaper reports: “The man, who was wearing a white jacket and a black Yankees baseball cap, pressed a cigarette against a cart of linens in a hallway and went to his vehicle in the parking lot.
“He later told police he was drunk and was upset after an argument with family members, saying he did not know why he set the fire…Firefighters rescued several patrons from second-floor rooms who were trapped after the fire spread through the stairway, affecting four rooms, officials said. The fire burned about an hour before firefighters were able to get it under control just before 1:40 a.m., North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Mike Giacumbo said. It is unclear whether patrons will be allowed back into their rooms. ”
The arrested man, who is 21 years old, was in custody at the North Bergen Police Department Tuesday.