Motel Manager Lauded As 'Bonafide Hero' For Putting Out Fire; 1 Charged With Arson

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — A 30-year-old Michigan man faces an arson charge for allegations he started a fire inside the Super 8 motel in Crystal Lake on Monday afternoon.

James Rover, of Negaunee, Michigan, had less than 15 grams of crack cocaine on him when authorities took him into custody on Monday afternoon, according to the Lake & McHenry County Scanner. Roever, 30, is expected to make his first court appearance in McHenry County Circuit Court on Wednesday.

He is charged with aggravated arson while knowing people were present, which is a Class X felony, and possession of less than 15 grams of crack cocaine.

Meanwhile, a manager at the Super 8 motel at 577 Crystal Point Road is being lauded as a "bonafide hero" for his quick actions while handling the fire. Sam Patel, the manager and part owner of the hotel, smelled smoke while leaving for the day, according to Shaw Local Media Network.

He turned around to check on the issue and found the blaze on the bathroom floor of a hotel room, according to the news report.

“I took action, put water from the faucet onto it and put it out,” Patel said, adding of the man in the room, who authorities said was Roever, “I don’t know what was going through his mind.”

This is a developing story. Check back for more details.