The Siena Hotel on East Franklin Street was badly damaged by a fire on Aug. 22.
The fire destroyed 25 to 50% of the first floor, causing an estimated $600,000 in damage, according to a newly released report.
Chapel Hill police said the investigation is ongoing, however, the report reveals new details about that day, including how the sprinkler system at the hotel was "shut off." It's unclear for how long the sprinkler system had been turned off, but the fire detectors were working.
The man believed to be responsible was 60-year-old Randall Bullock. He was an employee of the hotel, and on the day of the fire, Bullock was found dead inside.
His motive for setting that fire remains unclear.
The report also includes how a person was seen "running up the stairs in the building carrying long knives and a gun."
One set of entry doors had broomsticks through the door handles, blocking entry, according to the report.
The hotel has been closed since the fire.
Pablo Restrepo is the manager of the Heel and Horn, which is located right across E. Franklin Street from the Siena Hotel.
"It feels strange," Restrepo said. "They used to bring a lot of customers here."
On Monday, Belfor Property Restoration vehicles were seen at the property.
ABC11 reached out to the owners for more information about potential renovations.
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