FIVE PEOPLE WERE HURT, TWO OF THEM SERIOUSLY IN A FIRE THAT DESTROYED HALF A MASSENA MOTEL THIS MORNING.

MASSENA FIRE CHIEF THOMAS C. MILLER TOLD 99 NEWS HIS DEPARTMENT GOT THE CALL ABOUT 5:05AM TO THE HILLSIDE ON SMITH ROAD, JUST OFF STATE ROUTE 37. THE ENTIRE EAST END OF THE BUILDING WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES BY THE TIME TRUCKS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE. MILLER SAYS THE MOTEL HAD ABOUT 22 SEPARATE ROOMS OR 'UNITS;' FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO SAVE MOST OF THE WEST END OF THE STRUCTURE.

MILLER SAYS FIVE MOTEL OCCUPANTS WERE TAKEN TO MASSENA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL; TWO OF THE FIVE RECEIVED BURNS AND SMOKE INHALATION AND WERE EXPECTED TO BE TRANSPORTED BY AIR TO UPSTATE MEDICAL CENTER IN SYRACUSE.

45 FIREFIGHTERS FROM THE MASSENA DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THE CALL AT THE HILLSIDE. TRUCKS FROM LOUISVILLE, HOGANSBURG-AKWESASNE AND HELENA WERE ALSO ON THE SCENE WITH A STANDBY AT MASSENA STATION FROM NORFOLK. MASSENA FIRE DEPARTMENT SECURED ABOUT 9AM.

CHIEF MILLER TOLD US THE FIRE STARTED IN ONE OF THE ROOMS, BUT THE EXACT CAUSE WILL BE DETERMINED BY INVESTIGATORS.