Arrest made in Quality Suites fire investigation

Lake Charles, LA (KPLC) - The Sulphur Fire Department responded to a structure fire at the Quality Suites on City Services Highway.

The hotel has been empty since Hurricane Laura. However, construction to repair the damages had started recently.

“We received a call at around three o’clock this morning for a structure fire. units arrived on scene and the building was fully involved, we’ve been doing extinguishment on it,” Sulphur Fire Department Assistant Chief John Naquin said.

A firefighter was injured while extinguishing the blaze, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

During the ongoing investigation, suspect Nathan Hal Thomasini, 27, of Vancouver, Washington was arrested, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Officials described Thomasini as a transient.

Thomasini is accused of setting fire to the building, and is being charged with simple arson, trespassing, simple burglary and injury by arson, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

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