American Defends Self in Chinese Fire : Prosecutor Asks Leniency in Fatal Blaze, Says Hotel Shares Blame

An American charged with criminal negligence in a fatal hotel fire argued his case for the first time today, and prosecutors accepted that hotel management was partly to blame and recommended leniency.

Richard S. Ondrik, a 34-year-old oil industry expert, said in a 20-minute speech that he grieved for the 10 victims of the April 18 blaze at the Swan Hotel, especially his Chinese-American colleague Alan Eng.

Three hundred spectators in this northeastern Chinese city attended the trial, which began July 9 and has raised high-level U.S. concern about Ondrik’s fate.

Ondrik, who faces a maximum 7-year jail sentence, said he could not remember whether he fell asleep while smoking and accidentally ignited the 11th-floor blaze, as the prosecution charges.

“I still find it hard to believe that on that one tragic night, I would have done something I have never done before,” Ondrik said, stressing that it is not his habit to smoke in bed.

The Indiana native, who also faces an $87,690 fine, said he will accept the court’s verdict, due by Aug. 15.

“I am a friend of China and am a guest in your country, and if this court decides that vengeance and punishment are necessary according to your laws, then I will accept that,” he said.

Ondrik, an Indiana University graduate who formerly worked in Houston and came to Harbin for Energy Projects Southeast Asia Ltd. of Hong Kong, told the tribunal:

“It is not my family, my friends, my company or my country that is on trial here. It is only me. I am not a rich foreign tourist here to see the Great Wall, but only a man who earns his salary working each day in your country.”

Earlier, prosecutor Zhang Weixiao softened his approach by acknowledging that the hotel had “considerable responsibility” because of inadequate fire protection.

The court heard that the 11-story hotel, opened in December, 1983, had no fire alarm, smoke detectors, sprinkler system or exit lights. The 11th-floor attendant had left his post without permission for a bath and meal and the security chief was having a drink at the bar when the fire broke out.