A fire and explosion expert talks about investigating hotel and motel fires.
A recent fire call to a Bradenton-area motel prompted us to talk with Hotel Fire Investigation Expert, Richard Meier. Richard is a Manatee County based fire and explosion investigator.
A Hotel Fire Investigation Expert’s Thoughts
Richard, when would you get involved in an hotel fire investigation like this?
I typically get involved in the investigation after the fire department completes their work. My work begins when the insurance companies or lawyers for guests or hotel management start their investigations.
Wouldn’t the fire department do that?
No, The first responders focus mainly on public safety. They’re busy. Unless someone is seriously injured or killed, FD investigations are a general overview without getting into too many specifics.
According to USFA Statistics, less than 1% of residential fires occur in a hotel or motel
(2014-2016)
What does the fire department look for?
First of all, they look for where the fire started (the origin). Their answer can broad , “Room 203”, or specific, “the south end of the kitchenette in room 106.”
Next, they want to know if there was a crime, like arson, or a if serious fire code violation led to the fire.
Then they’ll determine a fire classification. They have 4 to choose from. They’ll report whether the fire was accidental, natural, incendiary, or undetermined.
Finally, they may offer a cause for the fire, like “electrical” or “cooking accident.”
After that, their work is done and my work begins.
After the Fire Department Investigation
So the investigation doesn’t end when the fire department or fire marshals leave?
No, actually most of the investigation happens after the “official investigation” is complete.
What are you looking for when you investigate an Hotel/Motel fire?
Private fire investigators, like me, are looking for three main things at a hotel fire scene.
First, I look for where the fire started (the origin). Second, I try to find what started the fire, or the cause. Finally, I work to find who or what was responsible for the damages, injuries or death. But, that’s not always the same as the cause. In hotel and motel fires, especially, we look to make sure the smoke alarms worked properly and that property did not have a fire code violations. The building owners have an obligation to maintain a safe premises.
After all that, I’ll summarize my findings in a report, in testimony, or both.
Hotel Fire Investigation Steps
- inspect, diagram and photograph the fire scene
- interview witnesses
- study the building construction
- collect evidence
- perform lab tests
- review fire codes and laws
- inspect other rooms in the hotel/motel
- evaluate fire escapes, fire extinguishers, sprinklers
- review product recalls
- Review property maintenance records
Hotel Fire Investigation Example
Here’s a hypothetical hotel fire case I might encounter.
It’s early Saturday morning in an older, mid-priced, low rise, chain hotel. Steven and his girlfriend Lori, guests in Room 201, return from a night on the town. While Lori takes a shower, Steven disregards the hotel’s non-smoking policy and lights a cigarette. He passes out. Lori comes out of the bathroom to find cigarette has ignited the bed sheets. She rouses Stephen, and they escape the fire, leaving the door to the hotel room propped open so the fire department will know which room is on fire.
By the time the fire department arrives the fire has grown and spread to the hallway. The smoke alarms in the individual rooms do not go off.
When the fire is put out, the fire department finds a guest in room 205, has died of smoke inhalation.
What this example tells us.
The origin of the fire is Room 201. The cause is ruled accidental. But is Steven, the careless smoker in Room 201 entirely responsible for the death? Not necessarily.
We may find the hotel management is responsible because they failed to properly maintain the smoke alarms, fire doors and extinguishers. Or the alarm company might be responsible if the hotel management paid for maintenance, but they didn’t do it. If the smoke alarms were defective, the manufacturer could be responsible for Henry’s death. That’s when it pays to have a Hotel Fire Investigation Expert on the case.
That sounds complicated. How long does it take?
Fire investigations in hotels and commercial spaces can be complicated. These investigations and the following court cases sometimes last months or years. Furthermore, my analysis of the events and related statutes and codes can be very involved and detailed. I need to be able to prove my findings and conclusions in court.
Who hires you as a Hotel Fire Investigation Expert ?
Most of the time, an attorney representing an interested party hires my firm. That could be an injured guest, the family of someone who died, the landlord or an insurance company. It could also be a manufacturer whose product safety is in question because it was located near the origin of the fire.
Can someone hurt in a hotel fire hire a fire investigation expert directly ?
No, for legal reasons, we work through an attorney or an insurance company.
Aren’t most hotel fires arson?
Most hotel fires are cooking related. Furthermore, intentionally set fires are rare and only account for 4% of reported hotel fires. According to the US Fire Administration statistics from 2014 to 2016, 55% of hotel fires are the result of cooking related accidents. This is followed by appliances (8.4%) and heating related (7.4%) fires.
More Reading on Hotel Fire Investigations.
Residential Fire Investigations on MeierFire.com
Commercial Fire Investigations on Meierfire.com
About Richard Meier
Richard Meier is a Certified Fire Investigator. He investigates hotel and other types of fires locally (Florida) and nationwide. His offices are located in Palmetto, Florida.