Accidental Spark Ignites Houlton Hotel Fire

5/24/2007

HOULTON -- The Shiretown Motel in Houlton was heavily damaged by fire Thursday. The front desk clerk at the motel reported the fire shortly after 10:00 A.M. When fire fighters arrived, the flames were quickly spreading.
It's the second time fire has taken a toll on the business. Ironically, firefighters were able to save the section of the motel that was destroyed a few years ago.

Investigators say they know what sparked Thursday's fire.

"One of the maintenance people was working to repair the waterpipes using a torch and he saw some smoldering. He thought he put it out and went in the basement. When the came back up he found out it hadn't," said Houlton Fire Chief Milton Cone.

Fire crews from several neighboring towns were called to the scene. No one was hurt.

While damage to motel was extensive, the manager says a section is still open for business. The lounge will also be reopened on Friday.

Hotel, gas station fire forces evacuation of B.C. village
Canadian Press
Published: Saturday, May 26, 2007
WONOWON, B.C. -- A local state of emergency was declared Friday in the northern B.C. village of Wonowon after fire broke out at a hotel and gas station.

Most residents of the community, which has a population of about 200, were ordered evacuated because of fears propane and gasoline tanks in the filling station attached to the hotel might explode.

The RCMP also closed the Alaska Highway that runs through the village.
Evacuees from the village, which used to be called Blueberry, were taken to Fort St. John, about 100 kilometres to the south.

Witnesses say everyone safely escaped the burning building without injury.

Hotel cook R. J. Callahayson said employees quickly cleared the building when the fire was discovered.

"I watch our gas jockey booking it up in the hotel rooms, banging on doors trying to get everybody out," he said.

"So I'm banging on doors with this guy. And I'm like, 'get the hell out of here man.'

"In about 20 minutes half the building (burned). Forty minutes after that it was all in flames. I lost all my stuff."

The tiny community has no fire protection so the building was allowed to burn itself out.

Fire guts Eastern Townships inn

Published: Saturday, May 26, 2007
A major fire in an Eastern Townships hotel early Saturday caused more than $2.5 million in damages.

The fire broke out about 2:30 a.m. in the main building of Auberge Estrimont, a four-star hotel, restaurant, and spa in Orford, 125 kilometres southeast of Montreal.

About 100 firefighters battled the flames for more than three hours. Guests were evacuated safely and no injuries were reported, firefighters said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.