Saturday, March 10, 2001
AUSTINTOWN -- Firefighters found fire doors open and the alarm system disabled when they arrived at a smoky hotel room blaze, said Fire Chief Andrew Frost.
His department has cited Michael Patel, manager of the Days Inn on North Niles-Canfield Road, for these fire code violations after the Tuesday morning fire that caused $25,000 damage and filled the four-story hotel with thick, black smoke.
"That was pretty serious stuff, to shut down a fire alarm," Frost said. "They rent rooms for people to sleep."
Explanation: Frost said that management of the Red Roof Inn told investigators they had disabled the alarm because a contractor was coming to spray paint rooms. The contractor was not there when an overheated window heating unit set curtains on fire in an unoccupied room, Frost said.
The fire code calls for the fire department to be notified before a fire alarm is disabled, and for an employee to be assigned to watch for fires until it is turned back on, Frost said. His department had not been notified, he said.
The establishment has been owned by Alibaba Charchor both during its incarnation as a Red Roof Inn and now, as a Days Inn, Frost said.
The fire code violations are minor misdemeanors, which carry maximum fines of $100. Frost said the record of violations, which has been forwarded to the state fire marshal's office, may make it more difficult for the establishment to renew its hotelier's license.