American Gets 18 Months in Fatal Chinese Hotel Fire

An American businessman accused of causing a fire in a Harbin hotel that killed 10 people was found guilty of criminal negligence today and sentenced to 18 months in jail.

The official New China News Agency said Richard S. Ondrik, 34, a native of Kokomo, Ind., employed by Energy Projects Southeast Asia Ltd. of Hong Kong, was also ordered to pay $51,724 in damages.

He later told his Chinese attorney that he was shocked by the verdict and wants to appeal, his American lawyer said.

His mother, Louise Ondrik, told the “CBS Morning News” from Honolulu today, “We feel that the investigation was not complete, that they decided what they wanted to.”

The sentence starts from the date of Ondrik’s arrest on June 26. His term will end Dec. 25, 1986, said his U.S. attorney, Robert C. Goodwin Jr., who was not allowed to represent Ondrik in court.

Ondrik faced a maximum seven-year sentence on a charge of negligently starting the April 18 fire by smoking in bed.

Five North Koreans and four Chinese leaped to their deaths from the 11th floor. Ondrik’s colleague, Chinese-American Alan Eng, also died.

Ondrik was in Harbin to discuss the sale of a compressor to Harbin Oil Refinery.

Could Not Remember

Ondrik, who was not required to enter a formal plea, testified that he could not remember what happened before he awoke in a smoke-filled room and struggled to safety. He said that it was not his habit to smoke in bed and that he could not remember doing so.

On Monday, two hotel employees were found guilty of being absent from their posts at the time of the fire. The deputy security chief received a two-year sentence, and a floor attendant was given a three-month jail term.

The court said: “Ondrik carelessly dropped a lighted cigarette butt onto the bed, making the bedding smolder.” When he fled the room, air convection spread the flames.

During the trial, the prosecution acknowledged that the 16-month-old Swan Hotel lacked a sprinkler system, fire alarms and smoke detectors.

The judge said the hotel’s failings and Ondrik’s honesty and cooperative attitude were taken into consideration in passing a “light sentence” and “rational sum” in damages. The prosecution had asked for the equivalent of $87,690.