Tag Archives: Property Damage

by | March 25, 2012 · 9:43 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Minnesota Hotel Kitchen "Oil Fryer Fire" Causes $100,000 In Damage

“The oil in the fryer reached its ignition temperature; the employees tried to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher, which was ineffective against the burning oil.”  

A fire in a Pannekoeken restaurant fryer at the Days Inn Hotel in downtown Rochester on Saturday morning caused an estimated $100,000 in damage.  Firefighters were called to the hotel, located at 6 First Ave. N.W., at 6:17 a.m., said Rochester Deputy Fire Chief Steve Belau. Employees had been opening the kitchen for the day, and had started the fryer when the mishap happened.
“After a time the fryer was noted to be boiling excessively (and) efforts by employees to shut down the fryer were unsuccessful,” Belau said.

The built-in fire extinguisher system slowed the fire, but was overcome when the fire became too large, Belau said. When firefighters arrived, there was smoke in the main floor and fire in the exhaust hood area of the kitchen. Fire was coming out of the exhaust vent on the outside.
Firefighters used two large portable fire extinguishers. At first, each time they knocked it down, it came back, Belau said. Also, it was unusually hot and smoky inside the kitchen. “Oil fires are very difficult to extinguish due to the unusually high temperatures associated with them,” he said.

For more:  http://www.postbulletin.com/news/stories/display.php?id=1491004

2 Comments

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

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | March 23, 2012 · 8:30 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Maryland Hotel Suffers $50,000 In Water Damage As Guest Is "Tricked Into Breaking Off Fire Sprinkler"

“…Fire officials said a female guest was contacted by someone at the  website pranku.net and told that a gas leak had occurred in the hotel.  The  guest was then tricked into breaking off the sprinkler head in her room with a  toilet bowl cover, which then caused water to flow into eight rooms and the  floor below…”

The state fire marshal’s office is investigating an incident at a hotel in  Aberdeen in which a guest was pranked into breaking the sprinkler system with a  toilet bowl lid, which subsequently caused several rooms to flood.

Firefighters were called to the second floor of the Holiday Inn Express  in the 1000 block of Beards Hill Road about 1:30 a.m. Friday.

Officials said there was about $50,000 worth of damage to the hotel. No  charges have been filed at this point.
Read more: http://www.wbaltv.com/news/30746462/detail.html#ixzz1pxPycGH5

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Maryland Hotel Suffers $50,000 In Water Damage As Guest Is "Tricked Into Breaking Off Fire Sprinkler"

Filed under Guest Issues, Insurance, Liability, Maintenance, Management And Ownership

Tagged as , , ,

by | March 11, 2012 · 1:10 am

Hospitality Industry Fire Risk: Ohio Hotel Fire Likely Caused By Electrical Problem In Ceiling Area Of Indoor Pool; Damage Exceeds $1 Million

“…The fire originated in the ceiling area of the indoor pool, it was likely an electrical problem, according to the release…”

“…Flames traveled from the overhang above the indoor pool to other walls in the hotel… Winds forced the smoke and fire up to the third floor and fanned the flames…”  

Holiday Inn Express employees stood huddled in thin blankets near Frisch’s Big Boy as firefighters from 10 departments attacked the building with axes and water. Smoke billowed from windows with punched-out screens on the southwest corner of the building at 773 Hebron Road. The three-alarm fire was fueled by a strong wind, up to 30 mph, from the northwest.

Firefighters tore into the building and tossed debris from open windows. Between fire truck sirens, the hotel fire alarm and radio calls of several chiefs, communication was challenging but achieved, Huggins said.

Investigators determined the damage exceeded $1 million, according to the release. Inspectors at the scene said the hotel’s fire alarm system and sprinkler system functioned properly during the blaze, according to the release.

For more:  http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20120309/NEWS01/120309003/Everyone-out-Holiday-Inn-Express-fire-continues

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Fire Risk: Ohio Hotel Fire Likely Caused By Electrical Problem In Ceiling Area Of Indoor Pool; Damage Exceeds $1 Million

Filed under Fire, Guest Issues, Insurance, Liability, Maintenance, Management And Ownership, Risk Management

Tagged as , , , ,

by | February 20, 2012 · 9:23 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: California Hotel Suffers Extensive Water Damage To 30 Rooms As "Cast Iron Pipe Connected To Fire Pump" Cracks; Seismic Shifting Possible Cause

“…(the hotel General Manager)…was in her office at 10:30 a.m. Thursday when she realized the carpet was “floating”…The source of the water was traced to a crack in a pipe that connects to a fire pump…a jackhammer was needed to reach the pipe, which is under cement…(the cause of the leak) is theorized (to be) seismic shifting, “not age, because it was cast iron…”

Santa Cruz Dream Inn, the city’s largest hotel, reopened about noon Friday after a 24-hour shutdown triggered by flooding on three floors that forced the hotel’s evacuation and relocation of 130 guests.

General manager Robin Donovan said Friday morning her staff has been working 24/7 to reopen the 163-room hotel. Because of the water damage, 30 rooms on the first three floors are “out of order,” she said.

Damages range from “light” to “extensive,” she added, estimating it would take 10 days up to three weeks to reopen those rooms. A dollar estimate was not available.

The hotel was empty Thursday night with guests relocated to other accommodations, including the Beach Street Inn & Suites, Chaminade, Holiday Inn Express and Scotts Valley Hilton.

For more:  http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_19988957

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Property Risks: California Hotel Suffers Extensive Water Damage To 30 Rooms As "Cast Iron Pipe Connected To Fire Pump" Cracks; Seismic Shifting Possible Cause

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

Tagged as , , ,

by | February 12, 2012 · 8:33 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: North Dakota Hotel Water Pipe Breaks Flooding Entire Hotel; All 40 Guest Rooms Evacuated

“The water pressure actually broke a wall down….They had to evacuate all 40-some rooms that night.”

Late in the night on Jan. 22, a water pipe on the north side of Candlewood Suites burst, causing the hotel to close until further notice.

According to WooMi Phillips, assistant professor and head of the hospitality and tourism management department at NDSU, the water damage began somewhere in the third floor ceiling.

Candlewood Suites, although located on the north side of NDSU’s main campus just west of the Fargodome, is not technically not part of the university. However, the hotel caters to various departments on campus, offers a discounted rate to families of students and even houses a lounge and classroom for the hospitality and tourism management students.

“Initially, we were concerned about the laptops and the computers and printer in the lounge,” Phillips said.

Nichole Ascheman, operations manager at Candlewood Suites and former NDSU student, contacted assistant professor Dipra Jha about the situation early Monday, Jan. 23. Jha taught three hospitality classes in Candlewood Suites.

For more:  http://www.ndsuspectrum.com/news/water-damage-drowns-hotel-1.2773145

2 Comments

Filed under Claims, Guest Issues, Insurance, Maintenance, Management And Ownership

Tagged as , , ,

by | February 5, 2012 · 6:32 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Florida Hotel Suffers Major Water Damage As Fire Sprinklers Are Accidently Activated, Flooding First And Second Floors

 “…A guest in a room knocked off a sprinkler, accidentally setting off the fire extinguishers. The knock-off of the sprinkler was itself accidental…The third floor was not affected. But water damaged the second floor, and seeped down to the first, damaging that floor as well. About three or four dozen guests were evacuated…”

Palm Coast’s Holiday Inn Express, a three-story, 81-room hotel, was evacuated this afternoon when sprinklers went off on the second floor. The Palm Coast Fire Department and the county’s fire rescue department responded in force, but there was no fire. A guest in a room knocked off a sprinkler, accidentally setting off the fire extinguishers. The knock-off of the sprinkler was itself accidental. No one was injured.

The third floor was not affected. But water damaged the second floor, and seeped down to the first, damaging that floor as well. About three or four dozen guests were evacuated. They were invited to register at the Hampton Inn and Suites, just 50 yards away. The Hampton Inn and the Holiday Inn Express are owned by the same concern. The Hampton Inn’s lobby at mid-afternoon was teeming with people registering at the front desk and waiting in the lobby-dining area, as firefighters remained at the Holiday Inn.

The Holiday Inn is expected to be off limits to guests for about 24 hours as a company is brought in to dry the two floors affected, authorities at the scene said. Although the third floor is not affected, the hotel’s elevator has been shut down because of water leakage. Hotel officials would not comment.

For more:  http://flaglerlive.com/33914/holiday-inn-evacuated/comment-page-1

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Florida Hotel Suffers Major Water Damage As Fire Sprinklers Are Accidently Activated, Flooding First And Second Floors

Filed under Claims, Guest Issues, Insurance, Liability, Maintenance, Management And Ownership

Tagged as , , ,

by | January 22, 2012 · 8:39 pm

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Wisconsin Hotel "Stairwell Pipe Bursts" On Seventh Floor Damaging Eight Rooms

“… a pipe broke in a stairwell. Water poured out for at least ten minutes and ended up in the basement of the hotel.  Eight guest rooms had water logged carpets which will have to be torn out…”

The Pfister Hotel is dealing with a mess after a pipe burst and several rooms flooded Saturday. Clean up crews spent the day at the historic hotel in downtown Milwaukee Saturday.

Fans were brought in to help dry out other areas. The hotel itself is still open.  But the burst pipe foiled Tammy Spoek’s day at the hotel’s spa.  “I was down at the spa and i was hearing that there was water. Water’s coming from the ceilings. So she came to me and said Tammy, I’m really sorry but we’re going to have to cancel your appointment,” Tammy said.

Spoek says it appeared the pipe broke somewhere near the seventh floor.

Hotel management says they believe the burst pipe is due to the cold temperatures the last few days.

The Pfister’s computer system apparently went down.  But the hotel and its restaurants did remain open.

For more:  http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/137827354.html

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Wisconsin Hotel "Stairwell Pipe Bursts" On Seventh Floor Damaging Eight Rooms

Filed under Claims, Guest Issues, Insurance, Labor Issues, Maintenance, Risk Management

Tagged as , , ,

by | January 21, 2012 · 1:56 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Missouri Hotel Fire Started By "Overloaded Electrical Cord"; 80-Year Old Building "Still Had Original Wiring"

The fire is believed to be electrical, but Noah said he doesn’t expect to determine the exact cause of the fire because the room “flashed over” during the fire. This can produce heat as high as 930 degrees.

“The building was built in 1927, and it still has the original wiring in the building,” Orgeron said. “We ask them not to, but you can’t be in everyone’s room all the time. People do break the rules.”

The fire at the Missouri Hotel started in the room of a resident who was using multiple electrical appliances, an official said. Fire marshal Philip Noah said a 48-year-old woman in room 221 had a box fan, stereo and cell phone charger plugged into an electrical cord.

Being able to pinpoint it becomes very difficult,” Noah said. “Really it would take an lectrical engineer”.

For more: http://www.news-leader.com/article/20120120/NEWS01/301200068/0/blogs/?odyssey=nav%7Chead

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Missouri Hotel Fire Started By "Overloaded Electrical Cord"; 80-Year Old Building "Still Had Original Wiring"

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

Tagged as , , ,

by | January 5, 2012 · 6:42 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Florida Hotel Fire Possibly Caused By Guest "Manufacturing Drugs"; $35,000 In Property Damage And Contents Loss

“…firefighters suspected that the room could have been used to manufacture drugs. Investigators noted that the occupant was seen “running away with soot and possibly with burns…”

 “Heavy fire was coming from the 4th floor southeast corner” when crews began to arrive at the hotel…

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating to determine what caused a 1:00 a.m. hotel fire that resulted in the evacuation of dozens of guests and racked up an estimated $35,000 in property damage and contents loss during the wee hours of Wednesday morning.

First responders launched an immediate search for victims, evacuated guests on adjoining floors, established a water supply and began to attack the flames.

Once extinguished, crews searched for additional fire above, behind and beside the fire room, Aviles said. “Once the fire was extinguished crews left the scene intact for incoming investigators.” According to the fire report, the major damage was confined to the 4th floor hotel room and did not spread.

Sheriff’s representative Chuck Mulligan told reporters this afternoon that the police may have located the occupant of the room, however, details have not yet been confirmed.

For more:  http://www.historiccity.com/2012/staugustine/news/florida/injuries-reported-ramada-inn-fire-morning-21950

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Florida Hotel Fire Possibly Caused By Guest "Manufacturing Drugs"; $35,000 In Property Damage And Contents Loss

Filed under Claims, Fire, Guest Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Risk Management

Tagged as , , ,

by | December 20, 2011 · 7:01 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Thirty-Five Niagara Falls Motel Rooms Extensively Damaged By "Partying High School Students"; Difficulties In Collecting From Parents And School

“…The room was a prime example of the swath of destruction cut through the motel. Holes had been punched in the wall, furniture broken and bathroom ceiling tiles had been ripped out in the bathroom…”

“…Initial estimates the owners have received peg the amount of damage to between $50,000 and $100,000…”

“…(the owner) simply hopes that parents of the students will step up and take responsibility…That hasn’t happened so far…”

Thirty-five rooms at the Avenue Inn on Lundy’s Lane were rented to high school students from Welland’s Notre Dame College School the night of the school’s Christmas semiformal, which was held up the street at the Americana Resort and Conference Centre. Overnight on Friday, Dec. 9, 22 of those rooms were damaged extensively.

“I don’t want to see this happen again,” David Linqi Liu, general manager and co-owner of the Avenue Inn motel said as he continued to sift through the wreckage of what was once Room 135 at the motel. As he walks around the room, the crunching of broken glass beneath his feet can be heard.
“We’ve had a lot of parties here, but we’ve never had this much damage,” said Harry Liu, David’s son who helps his dad and mother, Ling Cao run the Avenue as he flipped through an album of photos documenting the destruction. “A toilet was smashed, furniture and beds were overturned, a door was kicked in, a door was broken. Even an oven door was ripped off and its glass broken.”
According to Robert Forget, the on-duty manager the night of the incident, police were called by a motel guest not associated with the party. “They did show up for a little bit but they told us it was our responsibility,” Forget said. “They said it was a civil matter, not criminal.”

For more:  http://www.niagarathisweek.com/iphone/news/article/1262771–students-wreak-havoc-in-falls

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Thirty-Five Niagara Falls Motel Rooms Extensively Damaged By "Partying High School Students"; Difficulties In Collecting From Parents And School

Filed under Claims, Crime, Guest Issues, Insurance, Management And Ownership, Risk Management

Tagged as , , ,