Lincoln Fire and Rescue says an improperly discarded cigarette caused Monday night’s fire that destroyed the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott near 27th and Superior. LFR Public Information Officer MJ Lierman says a passerby spotted a small fire on the ground outside the hotel just before 7:00 and notified the manager.
Lierman says he pulled the alarms, which started the evacuation process. Investigators say the cigarette ignited some nearby vegetation, including a bush and some mulch. She says the fire spread between the walls and went up into the attic space.
“That styrofoam insulation piece is basically a petroleum product, so it can smolder into that exterior wall, creating heat and smoke going all the way up, there’s no stops.” Lierman says there was a smoke explosion, which created the intense flames.
A smoke explosion occurs when unburned gases and smoke from a fire accumulate, mix with oxygen, and ignite. It’s not known how many guests were inside at the time, but Lierman says about 30 rooms were reserved for the night. Victor Randazzo from Las Vegas was in his room when the fire broke out. “I was in the shower, you know I heard the commotion and the alarm is going off.’
Randazzo says he looked out and could smell the smoke. “I got dressed as fast as I could and ran for my life.” Randazzo says he could see the flames spreading in the hallway and was able to safely get out.
Lierman says the building was valued at $7 million. Damage totals to all of the lost personal items are still being added up.
(Photo: KLIN’s Tom Stanton)