Albury Motel Owner Accuses Woman Who Allegedly Set Fire To His Motel Of Racism

Albury Central Motel in NSW and (inset) owner Hardik Upadhyay. Photos: Facebook

Indian origin Hardik Upadhyay, owner of the Albury Central Motel in New South Wales, Australia, has accused a 40-year-old female guest who allegedly set fire to his motel of racism.

According to NSW Police, the blaze broke out at 7.15 am on Saturday, October 11, destroying the northern wing of the Young Street property and forcing the evacuation of all twenty rooms.​

Fire and Rescue NSW responded rapidly and managed to control the intense fire before it spread further.  Superintendent Stuart Alexander told The Border Mail that one person was treated for smoke inhalation, but considering the intensity of the fire, it was fortunate there were no serious injuries. 

Women Arrested For Arson At Albury Motel

NSW Police said officers established a crime scene and launched a formal investigation. “About 7.15 am on Saturday, 11 October 2025, emergency services were called to a motel on Young Street, Albury, following reports of a fire,” NSW Police said in a statement provided to SagaTimes. 

“Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze; however, the northern wing of the motel was destroyed. One person was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for smoke inhalation; however, there were no other reports of injuries.”

NSW Police said that around 11.30 am, they arrested a 40-year-old woman on Kiewa Street, Albury.

“She was taken to Albury Police Station before she was taken to Albury Base Hospital under police guard for assessment. Inquiries are continuing,” the police statement said

According to the motel owner, Hardik Upadhyay, the guest had checked in as a walk-in late Thursday, October 9. She had reportedly caused repeated disturbances, including intoxication, loud music, and dancing outside her room, and was told to turn down the volume on Friday evening. She checked out on Saturday morning around 7 am, and 15 minutes later, the fire broke out in her room. 

Upadhyay and his sons went door to door in the 20-room motel to get the other guests to escape. 

Motel Owner Slams Alleged Arsonist

Upadhyay accused the woman of deliberately setting off the fire and alleged racism could be a motivation.  “Her behaviour was unacceptable, and her racism was evident when she shouted at the reception after the fire,” Upadhyay said in a post in a community Facebook group. 

In his response to other group members, Upadhyay added: “She wasn't a homeless person or a housing department client; she was a paying customer, just like any other in Australia. If she has a mental illness, why did she check out with all her luggage after fire? "

"Why didn't she set fire to her own house or target her loved ones? Mental health issues shouldn't be used as an excuse to avoid accountability. If it's a drug addiction issue, what's the system doing to address it? How do drugs enter Australia?” added Upadhyay. NSW Police has not said if they are treating the incident as a hate crime.