Tag Archives: Hotel Fire

by | September 4, 2012 · 6:21 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Hawaii Hotel And Resort Fire Starts On Second Floor Of Older Building With "Shake Roof" That Burns Quickly And Collapses; $1.4 Million In Damages

“….the structure was old, making it more difficult to fully extinguish the fire…the roof material is wooden shake which made it burn faster…the fire caused about $1.4 million in damage…”

Maui firefighters spent their labor day battling a blaze at the Valley Isle Resort in Kahana. The fire was called in just after 6 a.m. Monday. Maui firefighters say it started on the second floor of a two-story building. Thick smoke and flames poured out from the roof which partially collapsed as more than 60 firefighters battled the flames.

Mainaga says a defensive tactic was necessary because the whole roof could come down, so firefighters had to stay outside. Firefighters evacuated the building as well as the Valley Isle Resort, a hotel and condominium building right next door.

The two-story building is part of the resort and has offices as well as a fitness center. “Yes that explains why the thing burned so fast.” said Mainaga.

Mainaga says no one was in the unit where the fire started and everyone was evacuated in time, so nobody was hurt.

For more:  http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/UPDATE-Fire-at-Maui-resort-causes-1-4-million-in/dMVY1kLSOkC_q-z_iHg4Kw.cspx

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Hawaii Hotel And Resort Fire Starts On Second Floor Of Older Building With "Shake Roof" That Burns Quickly And Collapses; $1.4 Million In Damages

Filed under Claims, Fire, Insurance, Maintenance

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | September 2, 2012 · 6:38 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: California Hotel And Restaurant Fire Caused By Electrical Malfunction; Over $400,000 In Roof And Water Damage

“…The blaze damaged the inn’s roof and attic, and there was water damage to the upper floors…damage is estimated at between $400,000 and $500,000…”

An electrical malfunction in a bathroom might have caused a fire at the Calistoga Inn Tuesday morning, a Calistoga firefighter said. The fire was reported at 3:13 a.m. at the inn, restaurant and brewery located at 1250 Lincoln Ave.

Guests were evacuated as crews began to battle the flames.  Twelve of the hotel’s 18 rooms were occupied, mostly by couples, Tamagni said. No injuries were reported.

For more: http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2012/08/28/electrical-fire-causes-half-a-million-in-damage-to-calistoga-inn/

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Property Risks: California Hotel And Restaurant Fire Caused By Electrical Malfunction; Over $400,000 In Roof And Water Damage

Filed under Claims, Fire, Insurance, Maintenance, Management And Ownership, Risk Management

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | August 27, 2012 · 6:15 am

Hospitality Industry Safety Risks: Multistory Hotels Face Increased Fire Risk From "Elevator Lift Shafts" That Provide "Ready Pathway For Toxic Smoke And Fire" To Travel Upwards

“…lift shafts provide a ready pathway for smoke and fire to travel upwards in multi-storey buildings.  Buoyant fire gases in a lift shaft can quickly fill upper floors, and there is much evidence to suggest that the majority of fatalities in such fires occur on higher floors significantly removed from the seat of the fire…”

Fires involving lift shafts pose particular risk in hotels where there can be large numbers of people, some of whom may be elderly or infirm, and in an unfamiliar place.  In 2007 alone, it’s estimated that one in 12 hotels and motels in the USA suffered a structural fire. 

That was certainly true in 1980 MGM Grand Hotel fire in Las Vegas which claimed 84 lives, the worst disaster in Nevada history.  In that incident, while the fire primarily only damaged the second floor, most of the deaths occurred on the upper floors, with elevator shafts and stairwells allowing toxic smoke to spread upwards.

It’s hard to overestimate the impact this fire had on both our understanding of vertical fire movement and on the building regulations to mitigate against fire risk.  The fire in a garment factory in a tall building claimed 146 lives, and directly led to new laws on building access and egress, fire proofing requirements, the availability of fire extinguishers, the installation of alarm systems and automatic sprinklers.

Under current fire safety legislation it is the responsibility of the person(s) having responsibility for the building to provide a fire safety risk assessment that includes an emergency evacuation plan for all people likely to be in the premises, including disabled people, and how that plan will be implemented. Such an evacuation plan should not rely upon the intervention of the Fire and Rescue Service to make it work.

For more:  http://www.glassonweb.com/news/index/16822/

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Safety Risks: Multistory Hotels Face Increased Fire Risk From "Elevator Lift Shafts" That Provide "Ready Pathway For Toxic Smoke And Fire" To Travel Upwards

Filed under Fire, Guest Issues, Health, Injuries, Maintenance, Management And Ownership, Risk Management

Tagged as , , , , , ,

by | August 25, 2012 · 7:38 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Missouri Hotel Roof Fire Results In "Severe Smoke Damage"; Costs Estimated At $20,000

“…(there was a) significant amount of smoke throughout the building…and damage in the lobby…estimated preliminary damage costs to be $20,000, according to the news release…”

A roof fire caused severe smoke damage at the Quality Inn in north Columbia on Tuesday afternoon. Kasey Ryan, a general manager and director of sales at the Quality Inn, said she thought the fire started between noon and 1 p.m.

“We noticed smoke in the lobby,” Ryan said. Guests lingering after a lunch meeting in the motel were asked to evacuate. Columbia Fire Department personnel arrived at the scene shortly after. Firefighters requested a second alarm roughly 20 minutes after their initial arrival, according to a news release. A dozen firefighters, five fire trucks, one ambulance and four police vehicles were present about 2:30 p.m.

Everyone safely evacuated and no injuries were reported.  “We’re just going to go through the process of cleaning up,” Ryan said. Ryan said she hopes the motel will be open in 24 hours, but a reopening date has not been set.

For more:  http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2012/08/21/fire-department-responds-fire-quality-inn/

2 Comments

Filed under Claims, Fire, Insurance, Maintenance, Management And Ownership

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | August 2, 2012 · 9:39 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Las Vegas Hotel "Swamp Cooler" Fire Injures 14 People As Smoke On Upper Floors Forces Evacuation

“…an accidental malfunction in the swamp cooler, a device that cools air through the evaporation of water, caused the fire…The unit caught fire and sent smoke into the hotel, prompting the evacuation of some of the upper floors of the building…”

A malfunctioning swamp cooler is being blamed for a roof fire at Las Vegas’ Treasure Island Hotel that left 14 people with minor injuries, officials said.

The fire broke out atop the hotel Tuesday morning, the Las Vegas Sun reported. The fire was put out by 9:36 a.m. Emergency responders checked out 14 people for smoke inhalation and treated them at the scene, officials said. The fire caused an estimated $20,000 worth of damage to the hotel, said Clark County Fire Chief Bertral Washington.

For more:  http://www.fireengineering.com/news/2012/08/02/vegas-hotel-fire-blamed-on-swamp-cooler.html

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Las Vegas Hotel "Swamp Cooler" Fire Injures 14 People As Smoke On Upper Floors Forces Evacuation

Filed under Fire, Maintenance, Management And Ownership, Risk Management

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | July 31, 2012 · 6:29 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Boston Hotel Parking Garage Fire Caused By Contractor's Welding Torch; Additional Safety Concerns Discovered

“… an independent contractor was in the basement of the parking garage building a new restaurant when a welding torch malfunctioned, causing the small fire…”

“…Boston fire say they discovered that some of the exhaust fans were not working and gave the hotel until the end of the day to fix them or risk being shut down. Fire officials also said it appeared a standpipe was leaking and it had to be fixed…”

A major Boston hotel has addressed some safety concerns after they were discovered while crews battled a small parking garage fire on Monday. The fire broke out in Level 1 of the Westin Hotel garage just after 10 a.m. Monday, according to Boston fire. The fire started on a control knob of a 3-foot high acetylene tank, and fire crews doused the tank to keep it cool, according to Boston fire.

Boston fire’s Steve MacDonald said the contractor had the proper permits for the torches, but they will be amended to include a fire watch any time welding is taking place at the site.

Jorgensen said the exhaust fans have been fixed. Water that was believed to be leaking from a standpipe was actually from the fire department’s hoses, Jorgensen said.

Read more: http://www.wcvb.com/news/local/metro/Construction-torch-sparks-hotel-garage-fire/-/11971628/15827854/-/1547r64/-/index.html#ixzz22D4JvIDV

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Boston Hotel Parking Garage Fire Caused By Contractor's Welding Torch; Additional Safety Concerns Discovered

Filed under Fire, Labor Issues, Liability, Maintenance, Management And Ownership, Training

Tagged as , , , ,

by | June 26, 2012 · 6:16 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Missouri Hotel Fire Causes Significant Exterior, Smoke And Heat Damage To Rooms; Fire Wall And Favorable Winds Spares Structure

“…Firefighters were initially concerned the blaze would spread deep into the hotel, but the unusually heavy-duty firewall and a fortunate south wind spared the brick-faced structure from catastrophic damage…The fire also did significant damage to the exterior of the hotel, and also destroyed the hotel swimming pool’s pumping apparatus…”

Interior demolition and clean-up at the Maryville Comfort Inn Motel, damaged May 19 when an adjoining empty restaurant building was gutted by fire, is nearing completion, paving the way for renovation of four smoke- and heat-damaged rooms later this summer.

Chuck Hetrick, general manager of the hotel, located at the south end of Business 71, said crews were wrapping up removal of smoke-impregnated insulation from the attic above the damaged rooms in preparation for installation of fresh insulation and new sheetrock.

A concrete-block firewall that separates Comfort Inn from what is left of the restaurant is to be torn down, which will allow a north-end interior stairwell to be widened.

Though Comfort Inn has remained in operation in the weeks since the blaze, Hetrick said occupancy is down. In an attempt to let potential customers know the lodge is open for business, a large sign visible from Main Street bears the message, “We are open.”

For more:  http://www.maryvilledailyforum.com/news/x1805322006/Repairs-underway-at-fire-damaged-hotel

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Missouri Hotel Fire Causes Significant Exterior, Smoke And Heat Damage To Rooms; Fire Wall And Favorable Winds Spares Structure

Filed under Fire, Insurance, Liability, Maintenance, Management And Ownership

Tagged as , , , ,

by | June 10, 2012 · 6:45 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Ohio Hotel Fire Started In "Mulch Pit" On Side Of Building; $2 Million In Structural Damage, $200,000 Contents

 “…a mulch bed on the side of the building caught fire, sending flames through a stairwell and into the attic…eight rooms on the third floor of the Microtel were directly affected and it took about three hours to control…”

Fire officials have determined the origin of a Jackson Township hotel fire on May 25 that shut down parts of Interstate 77. The State of Ohio Fire Marshal said a mulch bed on the side of the building caught fire, sending flames through a stairwell and into the attic. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation and officials have not located the ignition source, the fire department said.

Last month, NewsChannel5 consumer advocate Jenn Strathman reported that weather was to blame for an increase in mulch fires in northeast Ohio. In Lorain County, Avon Fire Chief Frank Root III said they have seen 12 mulch fires in 2012, compared to just one by this time last year.

Fire officials said eight rooms on the third floor of the Microtel were directly affected and it took about three hours to control the blaze. Fire departments from across the area responded to the scene and one firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation.

The incident caused about $2 million in damage to the building and another $200,000 on contents.

Read more: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/oh_stark/fire-officials-say-mulch-was-origin-of-jackson-township-hotel-fire#ixzz1xOv21qxJ

2 Comments

Filed under Fire, Insurance, Liability, Management And Ownership

Tagged as , , , ,

by | June 3, 2012 · 6:21 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Oklahoma Hotel Fire Caused By "Hail Stone Striking Electric Sign"; Damage Estimated At $1.17 Million

“…a hail stone struck an electric sign on the front of the (hotel). The innkeeper put it out, and then extinguished a flare up in the attic, Lewis said. Believing it was over, the innkeeper did not call 911…a passer-by spotted  flames in the hotel’s roof and called 911, Lewis said. When Edmond fire crews arrived, they found a fully involved fire in the attic…”

A hail stone falling from storms that passed over the city Tuesday evening ignited a fire that burned much of an Edmond hotel, a fire official said.

By about 2:20 a.m. all guests in the front of the hotel had been evacuated, Lewis said. While a total number of guests at the time was not available, an Edmond Fire Department investigator estimated the hotel was about 80 percent full, Lewis said.  There were no injuries to firefighters or hotel guests, Lewis said.

The hotel and real estate are valued at $1.17 million by the county assessor, Lewis said. The structure, built in 1983, appeared to be a total loss, he said.

For more:  http://www.edmondsun.com/local/x234176720/Storm-related-fire-damages-1-17M-Edmond-hotel

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Oklahoma Hotel Fire Caused By "Hail Stone Striking Electric Sign"; Damage Estimated At $1.17 Million

Filed under Fire, Guest Issues, Insurance, Maintenance

Tagged as , , , , , ,