DEVELOPING STORY

By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent

An early morning fire at a west side motel destroyed one room and damaged at least one more, officials said.

Capt. Marinda Spencer, public information officer at the Gallup Police Department, said police and fire units were dispatched to the Budget Inn at about 5:20 am on Jan. 10. Upon arrival, a first floor room was in flames, she said.

Both the fire and police departments are investigating the incident, Spencer said. The cause of the fire is preliminarily believed to be arson, she added.