Fire causes serious injuries at Adelaide hotel
A fire broke out at the Comfort Hotel Adelaide Meridien, drawing 40 firefighters to help put out the blaze.
The fire caused several injuries, including to seven people with 15 people requiring rescue after being stranded on hotel balconies.
One man jumped into the hotel pool after receiving serious burns to his hands and feet.
Despite the hotel saying the fire alarm did go off, several guests have said they didn’t hear it, although Metropolitan Fire Service media liaison Krystle Mitchell said that “on arrival, our crews heard alarms sounding and people were evacuating”.
A front desk worker at the hotel said, “I can say for an absolute fact I was the first person on-site there to work this morning and the fire alarms were all working. And there was a lot of noise so I can definitely counteract that,” he said.
The hotel stated: “All guests are safe and accounted for. We thank the police and the fire people for the quick response and assistance, and the fire was contained to one room.”
Despite controlling the fire, smoke did spread through the hotel, with an MFS spokesperson saying, “So there will be smoke damage … Because it’s a commercial building it will need a structural assessment. So, yes, the fire was contained to the one room, but how much structural damage has been done, they won’t know that until an engineer comes in to do that assessment,” she said.
The guests who failed to hear the alarm came forward with guest Darren Whitfield telling the Adelaide Advertiser, “There was no fire or smoke alarms going off and no instructions over the PA system.
“There were no visible exit signs through the smoke … I could see people crawling on the floor in really thick smoke … I let them into our room … They were covered in black soot and coughing really badly.”
The fire was deemed to be accidental, despite initial concerns that it may have been lit deliberately.
Residents in all of the 95 occupied rooms were accounted for, with arrangements being made to find alternative accommodation for the rest of the guests.
Irit Jackson, 25th April 2022
