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Update (3pm): Authorities have identified the deceased as Randall Moore Bullock, 60, of Chapel Hill.
Franklin Street has reopened in both directions.
The investigation is ongoing and no additional information is available at this time.
Update (1:30pm): Authorities discovered a male suspect deceased inside the hotel just after 12pm. Authorities have searched the hotel and there is no longer a threat.
Investigators believe the suspect started this morning’s fire and we’re working to determine the extent of the damage.
Our Crisis Unit is working to notify the suspect’s family and we’ll share his identity once that has happened.
The investigation is ongoing.
Update (9:15am): This remains an active investigation and we continue to ask our community to avoid E. Franklin Street in this area.
Our officers and our crisis negotiators are still working to make contact with the person believed to be inside the hotel. The person we were communicating with earlier was someone who needed to be rescued and is now safe.
Smoke is dissipating and firefighters are ready to respond when it is safe to do so.
Previously released (7:02am): E. Franklin St. is closed between Dunkin' Donuts and Estes Dr. as the Chapel Hill Police Department and its Crisis Unit are communicating with someone who is barricaded inside the Siena Hotel at 1505 E. Franklin St. We're asking the community to avoid this area, and use Fordham Blvd. to detour.
At around 4:30 a.m., the Chapel Hill Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire at the hotel. The building was evacuated and there are no reports of injuries at this time. Firefighters will resume firefighting efforts when it is safe to do so.
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