“…the building had a series of problems, including a broken sprinkler system, empty fire extinguishers and smoke detectors without batteries…the building had electrical problems, too, including a sparking outlet in his room. The motel capped the outlet instead of fixing it…”
“…the fire spread from single room, got into the attic and raced throughout building, destroying nearly everything…”
A fire that caused the roof to collapse and burn through a wing of a 430-room Kissimmee motel late Sunday is still burning this morning. Eight people, including two firefighters, have been hospitalized from injuries caused by the blaze at the Vacation Lodge, which essentially functioned as an apartment complex.
The fire investigation, which will likely start Tuesday, will look into the alleged problems with the sprinkler system. Micheal White, who paid $135 a week to live in Room 1230, said he heard an explosion in Room 1305 before the fire broke out.
He said the motel has been in news recently after the water was shut off for 27 days for nonpayment. He did not know if complex was built with firewalls designed to contain fires.
For more:Â http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/os-kissimmee-hotel-fire-20110626,0,2952712.story
