Norway man sets fire to New Yorker Hotel: FDNY

A Norwegian tourist was busted for setting fires at the New Yorker hotel early Tuesday morning, the FDNY said Wednesday.

According to officials, Tore Brox, 29, set two fires in the hallway on the 20th floor of the hotel, including one in a housekeeping cart in the west wing.

Hundreds of people were evacuated but there were no injuries to anyone besides Brox, who was treated at Bellevue Hospital Center.

"There was a great deal of smoke and heat," said FDNY spokesman Frank Dwyer. "There was a potential for many injuries."

Brox was arrested by fire marshals later Tuesday for setting the fires at the hotel, at 481 Eighth Ave. Firefighters got to the scene at around 4:50 a.m.

"The quick actions by our firefighters at this fire prevented a potential tragedy, and the tremendous investigative work by our fire marshals quickly brought this individual to justice," Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano said.

Security for the New Yorker hotel said it had no comment Wednesday.

Brox is charged with two counts of arson and two counts of reckless endangerment. The Manhattan DA's office said it was uncertain when he would be arraigned.

Investigators did not know of any motive for the alleged crime last night.