Costa Mesa : Motel Suffers $375,000 Damage in 2-Alarm Fire
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Christmas decorations placed too close to lights early Sunday triggered a two-alarm fire that caused $375,000 damage to a Baker Street motel, authorities said.
The office and lobby of the Residence Inn, 881 Baker St., suffered the brunt of the destruction from the 3 a.m. blaze, said Battalion Chief Gerald Poarch of the city’s Fire Department.
Poarch said the fire started in the office, where holiday trimmings--possibly garlands--were ignited by lights.
Expensive computer equipment--”that stuff goes up real quick”--was destroyed in the inn’s front office, Poarch said. Damage to the structure itself was only about $25,000, he said.
Guests in a building next to the lobby area were evacuated, but that wing suffered no damage, Poarch said. No injuries were reported.
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