1971 – July 23, Fire, Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge, New Orleans, LA — 6

–7 UPI. “Seven Die In New Orleans Hotel Fire.” Ruston Daily Leader, LA. 7-23-1971, p. 1.
–6 Jones, Jon C. “A Brief Look At the Hotel Fire Record.” NFPA Fire Journal, May 1981, p40.
–6 United Press International. “6 Die In Hotel Fire.” Kingsport News, TN. 7-24-1971, p. 1.

Narrative Information

July 23: “New Orleans. UPI – Toxic gases spreading from f fire killed seven persons this morning at the Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge in downtown New Orleans. Howard Johnson’s manager Otto Felkner said an eight persons who was carried out, a young boy, was reported in critical condition from smoke inhalation. Three of the victims identified as Joseph Gauthier, 25, New Orleans; and Dr. and Mrs. John R. Finch of Houston. Gauthier was a security guard who was overcome during an attempt to alert guests on the 12th floor. The coroner’s office said a middle-aged woman and two youths had also died.

“The fire was confined to one room on the 12th floor of the 18-story hotel, Assistant Fire Chief William McClausen said, ‘but the product of the fire, toxic gases, spread throughout the entire floor and on subsequent floors.’

“Damage to the $6 million hotel was estimated at $18,000 to the structure and $5,000 to contents, Second District Fire Chief Victor Civello said.

“Room 1217, where the fires started, was completely destroyed with the bare concrete structural shell showing through. Rooms adjacent to 1217 and across the hall were damaged by the fire and had heavy coats of soot.

“John Caldwell of Dallas said thick smoke poured from room 1217 when a security guard forced the door. Caldwell said that at first he smelled ‘a little smoke,’ but when 1217 was opened ‘the smoke came boiling out of there. I grabbed my wallet and I went to the stairwell at the end of the hall and went downstairs. Before I did that I hammered on the door across from my room and the old boy in there ran down too.’ The hotel moved Caldwell to a room on the eighth floor when guests were allowed to return after about two hours on the street. He said smoke had ruined his clothes and luggage.

“Steel railings were melted and bent outside the corner room where the fire apparently started. Concrete was chipped and weakened the entire corner of the concrete and tile structure was scorched to the roofline….” (United Press International. “Seven Die In New Orleans Hotel Fire.” Ruston Daily Leader, LA. 7-23-1971, p. 1.)

July 24: “New Orleans (UPI) – A fire on the 12th floor of Howard Johnson’s downtown motor hotel Friday sent clouds of poisonous smoke billowing through the hallways killing fire guests and a security guard. ‘Kids were choking in the hallways and lying on the floor,’ another security guard said. The hotel management said seven bodies were counted at the fire but the coroner’s office said one victim must have been counted twice in the confusion. The coroner’s office said five guests and security guard Joseph Gauthier, 25, were killed by breathing toxic gases in the smoke.” (United Press International. “6 Die In Hotel Fire.” Kingsport News, TN. 7-24-1971, p. 1.)

Sources

Jones, Jon C. “A Brief Look At the Hotel Fire Record.” NFPA Fire Journal, May 1981, p. 40.

United Press International. “6 Die In Hotel Fire.” Kingsport News, TN. 7-24-1971, p. 1. Accessed 2-27-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingsport-news-jul-24-1971-p-1/

United Press International. “Seven Die In New Orleans Hotel Fire.” Ruston Daily Leader, LA. 7-23-1971, p. 1. Accessed 2-27-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ruston-daily-leader-jul-23-1971-p-1/