Woman charged with arson for fire that destroyed blackwood howard johnson hotel

BLACKWOOD, NJ – Police have arrested Dannielle Monroe, 27, of Blackwood for setting a fire that burned a Howard Johnson hotel and endangering the lives of residents, staff and first responders.

On Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021, at approximately 3:33 AM, the Gloucester Township Police and several fire departments from Gloucester and Camden County responded to the Howard Johnson Hotel 832 N. Black Horse Pike in Blackwood for an active four-alarm building fire.

Responding officers observed heavy smoke and fire coming through the roof of the hotel. Gloucester Township Emergency Medical Services, the Gloucester Township Police Office of Emergency Management, and Camden County Office of Emergency Management were on location to assist guests. Approximately forty-seven guests were displaced from several hotel rooms.

There were no reported injuries to any of the hotel guests or first responders. The New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was started intentionally. A lengthy investigation was initiated by Gloucester Township Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) and the New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office.

An investigation revealed a female, later identified as Dannielle Monroe, was the last occupant to leave the hotel room where the fire originated. Search warrants and interviews conducted led to Monroe being charged for Arson. Howard Johnson Hotel sustained over three million dollars in damages to business. Monroe was charged with Arson (3rd degree) and Criminal Mischief. Monroe was charged on a criminal summons pending a future court appearance.

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