The debris from the September fire at the Boardwalk Motel in Alexandria Bay still remains months later, but clean-up can finally begin after an arrest was made Monday. 

"He didn't provide us with a clear-cut motive as to why he lit this fire," said New York State Police Senior Investigator Rick Hathaway of 41-year-old Francis Babcock, who is charged with third-degree arson in relation to the fire that destroyed a large part of the motel. 

"The fire actually started in a section behind a two-story section of the hotel that was screened in and not finished," said Hathaway.

State police says Babcock was able to access the area where the fire started through a screen door. Police were able to identify Babcock with surveillance video from a nearby business.

"When we showed it to Mr. Babcock, he didn't deny it as being him," said Hathaway.

This isn't the first arrest for Babcock; in 2002, he was charged with second- and third-degree arson. According to hotel owner Judy Fulmer, Babcock worked for her in the past.

"For a very brief time, he worked for the hotel. Francis Babcock's wife also worked for the hotel," said Hathaway.

Fulmer says that Babcock was a seasonal employee at one point and left on good terms. He and his wife are tenants of a property owned by Fulmer. State police say Babcock admitted to drinking alcohol the night he allegedly started the fire.

"There is still investigative work to wrap up, but overall, the investigation's major portion has been concluded," said Hathaway.

State police say they're not expecting to make any more arrests in this investigation, and Fulmer says she will be pressing charges.