The fire at the Westcase Hilton, like other recent
severe hotel fires, was a modern, recently completed
(or expanded) fire-resistive structure with a number
of built-in fire protection features. Yet 12 out of
30 occupants (40 percent) on the fire floor were fatalities.
Investigators from the Houston Arson Bureau have determined
that a fallen cigarette caused ignition of one of
the two upholstered chairs in room 404. The investigators
believe that a lighted cigarette apparently fell onto
or into the crevices of the upholstered chair some
time during the evening and initiated a smouldering
fire in the chair. The fire, which was reported to
the Houston Fire Department at 2:25 am, occurred in
a guest room located on the fourth floor of the hotel's
13 story, high-rise tower. The fire mainly involved
the contents of one guest room, and exposed the fourth
floor corridor to severe heat and smoke conditions.
Due to the building configuration, the fire was also
able to extend horizontally to two adjoining rooms
on the fourth floor. In addition there was a minor
vertical exterior fire extension to three guest rooms
on the fifth floor. Smoke spread throughout the fire
floor and, in varying degrees, to all levels of the
building. All of the fatalities were occupants of
the fire floor. A family of four and a family of five
were found in rooms 407 and 411. One victim was found
in the corridor outside room 413. In addition, five
occupants on the fire floor were hospitalized, four
in critical condition, and one in serious condition.
Two of the injured died soon after the fire. Fire
fighters found the injured behind closed doors in
guest rooms and in the fourth floor exit-access corridor.
The victims ranged in age from 2 years old to 67 years
old, seven females and five males were among the victims.
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