Updated, as of Aug. 22 at 3 p.m.:
On Friday morning, local emergency services responded to a fire at the Siena Hotel on East Franklin Street, which police are investigating as a potential arson. Authorities found the man suspected of setting the fires dead on the third floor of the hotel just after 12 p.m. and confirmed that there is no longer a threat.
Authorities have not yet identified the suspect’s relation to the hotel.
Chapel Hill Chief of Police Celisa Lehew speaks at a press conference following a suspected arson at the Siena Hotel on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025.
“This is a hotel that has over 80 rooms,” Chapel Hill Chief of Police Celisa Lehew told the press. “There’s a lot of work yet to be done in terms of putting the puzzle pieces together.”
According to a press release from the Town of Chapel Hill, the Chapel Hill Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at the hotel around 4:30 a.m. The building was evacuated, and Lehew confirmed that there were no other injuries.
Authorities have not yet indicated when hotel residents will be allowed to return.
Franklin Street was closed between Estes Drive and Elliott Road until 2:30 p.m.
Emergency service vehicles from Chapel Hill Fire, Chapel Hill Police, Orange County Sheriff and Durham County Sheriff departments were present at the scene over the course of Friday morning.
