USFA Releases Twelve Fatality Hotel Arson Fire Technical Report

Contact:

USFA Press Office: (301) 447-1853

Emmitsburg, MD - The United States Fire Administration (USFA) released today, as part of its technical report series, a new report titled Twelve Fatality Hotel Arson: Reno, Nevada. On October 31, 2006, a fire occurred in the four-story Mizpah Hotel located at 214 North Lake Street in downtown Reno, NV. 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.

“One cannot read this report and not question the impact sprinklers might have had in protecting the occupants of this hotel.”

"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."

The USFA develops reports on selected major fires throughout the country. Under this project, the 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. The information informs policymakers – who must decide on allocations of resources between fire and other pressing problems – and personnel within the fire service, who must decide on how best to improve codes and code enforcement, training, public fire education, building technology, and other related areas.

"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," continued Cade.

For additional information regarding this report, or other USFA Technical Reports, visit the Publications section of the USFA Web site.

Adobe Acrobat (PDF)/Other Help

Download

Twelve Fatality Hotel Arson: Reno, Nevada (PDF, 1.9 Mb)

The United States Fire Administration recommends everyone should have a comprehensive fire protection plan that includes smoke alarms, residential sprinklers, and practicing a home fire escape plan.