Robeson County man arrested for arson in Fayetteville hotel fire

On Saturday morning at 4:35, Cumberland County deputies responded to a fire at Royal Inn on Gillespie Street. The fire started in room 112 and spread to the second floor, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. Pearce’s Mill Fire Department was able to extinguish the fire.

Pictures from inside the room where the fire broke out showed complete devastation. The walls and floors are charred black from the flames and the entire ceiling has fallen away leaving exposed insulation hanging down.

Firefighters said the motel had to be evacuated after the incident.

Michael Devon Dunham of Saint Pauls was arrested for First Degree Arson of the Royal Inn and Burning of Personal Property.

Surveillance video captured Dunham going in and out of the room several times while it burned for 30 minutes before leaving. Deputies said there were no attempts to extinguish the fire or notify anyone about the blaze during that time.

No one was injured.

WRAL News spoke with Royal Inn owner Shailesh Desai who said he’s pleased that the sheriff’s office made an arrest in the case, but his biggest concern is his business.

The motel has been shut down since the fire and Desai said he can’t reopen until the county does an inspection and declares the building safe.

No word how long that could take.

Dunham was processed at the Cumberland County Detention Center and held on a $100,000 secure bond.

This investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is requested to contact Arson Investigator R. Tyndall at (910) 677-5499.