ORLANDO, Fla. _ The fire at a Kissimmee hotel that displaced 250 people was intentionally set, according to the state fire marshal's office.
Several mattresses outside the building were apparently set on fire, a spokeswoman said. No other information, including possible suspects and a motive for setting the fire, was available.
Dozens of firefighters battled the three-alarm fire at Unno Boutique Hotel for at least 11 hours as it moved through the rooms Friday.
The blaze was reported about 4:45 a.m. at the hotel, officials said. He said the fire started toward the back of the building, which was undergoing construction.
One whole wing of the building was flattened and left in a pile of rubble consisting of burned mattresses, charred wood and broken bricks.
Two units on the top floor directly next to where the fire was stopped were literally cut in half, with one having a table, chair and shower completely exposed.
In the days since, Disney and Osceola County have stepped up to place the victims in housing.
More than 175 people are being put up in other hotels.
Anyone who wants to help can donate money at the county's website, Osceola.org.
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