USFA Releases Hotel Arson Fire Technical Report
The United States Fire Administration released yesterday, as part of its technical report series, a new report titled Twelve Fatality Hotel Arson: Reno, Nevada.
On Oct. 31, 2006, a fire occurred in the four-story Mizpah Hotel located at 214 North Lake Street in downtown Reno, Nev. Twelve of the hotel's residents died in the fire, 31 people were injured (2 critically), and 70 people had to be rescued from the building by the fire department. More than 80 people were displaced by the fire.
"There are many lessons for firefighters to be learned from reviewing this technical report," said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "Once again we see the delays associated with occupant complacency created by frequent false fire alarms. More importantly, one cannot read this report and not question the impact sprinklers might have had in protecting the occupants of this hotel."
USFA develops reports on selected major fires throughout the country. Under this project, USFA also develops special reports addressing a variety of issues that affect the fire service such as homeland security and disaster preparedness, new technologies, training, fire-ground tactics, and firefighter health and safety. This body of work provides detailed information on the nature of the fire problem and the many types of services provided by fire departments.
"These reports provide detailed information for policymakers and individuals within the fire service who can use the information to improve codes and code enforcement, training, public fire education, building technology, and other areas of fire service responsibility," Cade said.
To view this report in its entirety, visit www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/tr_164.pdf.