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The blaze happened on Sunday, April 6, at the Residence Inn by Marriott in New Rochelle at 35 LeCount Pl., where the New Rochelle Fire Department responded to a fire on the seventh floor at around 9:20 p.m., according to New Rochelle Police Captain J. Collins Coyne.
Although the hotel’s fire suppression system successfully contained the blaze, it caused significant flooding throughout the floor, Coyne said.
Coyne also added that when officers entered the room where the fire began, they found signs of a makeshift drug lab, including cocaine and materials used to manufacture crack cocaine.
Detectives were immediately called to the scene and launched an investigation that quickly led them to a hospital in Queens, where they found the suspect, New York City resident Pedro Marte, being treated for burns to his arm, torso, and foot.
Marte was placed under arrest and is currently in custody at a New York City hospital. Once medically cleared, he will be transported to New Rochelle to face numerous charges related to the drug lab and fire, according to Coyne.
The fire is believed to have been sparked by Marte’s illegal activity inside the hotel room, although the exact cause remains under investigation.
Marte's pending charges include:
- Two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance;
- Fourth-degree arson;
- First-degree reckless endangerment;
- Fourth-degree criminal mischief.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the New Rochelle Police Department at 914-654-2300 or anonymously at 914-632-COPS.
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