Fire at Gloucester Twp. Howard Johnson Hotel Was Arson, Police Say

A fire that blazed through Howard Johnson Hotel on Route 168 in Gloucester Township in March was determined to be an act of arson, police say.

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The flames broke out 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 3, 2021 and quickly grew to four-alarms, according to Patch.com.

Gloucester Township Police received several calls reporting the fire at Howard Johnson Hotel, located 832 North Black Horse Pike in Blackwood. Responding officers arrived to find heavy fire and smoke pouring from the roof, according to a GTPD press release shared with Townsquare Media.  The hotel's occupants were evacuated as several local fire companies arrived to help battle the blaze, which spread to two of HoJo's three buildings.

It reportedly took crews approximately two hours to get the fire under control. The hotel reportedly sustained $3 million in damage, according to Gloucester Twp. Police.

Thankfully, no one was injured in the fire, but 47 hotel residents were displaced and had to be bussed to other accommodations.

Video of the destructive scene was posted to Facebook by Camden County IAFF Local 3249.

An investigation involving multiple agencies lead to 27-year-old Dannielle Monroe, of Blackwood, reportedly the last occupant to vacate the room at HoJo where the fire originated. Monroe was charged with 3rd degree Arson and 3rd degree Criminal Mischief.

You can read the GTPD's full findings below:

SOURCES: Gloucester Twp. Police/Facebook; Press Release by Lt. Mark Benton # 149, Captain Brendan Barton #156, Gloucester Twp. Police Dept.; Patch.com via Gloucester Township Patch/Facebook