Blast, Fire Rip Through New Hotel

Hotel guests in the newly opened Shilo Inn scrambled for safety early Saturday when a propane leak caused an explosion and fire.

Firefighters said they were amazed that nobody was hurt.

The explosion about 7 a.m. blew out windows and doors in two rooms, then fire ripped through four others. Hotel officials said firefighters were able to contain the fire to the attic and four suites but water damage from the sprinklers was extensive.

“If they hadn’t had sprinklers in the attic, they probably would have lost the entire attic and one floor, if not half the building,” said Duane Jones, assistant fire chief with the Ocean Shores Fire Department.

He estimated damage at $40,000 to the building and $100,000 to furnishings of the 133-room hotel.

Firefighters believe the blast occurred on the second floor when the propane gas, which is fed into fireplaces in each suite, leaked and ignited.

“I don’t know how those people got out of there uninjured,” Jones said. “The people in the room where the explosion occurred were sleeping and they got out without a scratch. Someone is looking over them.”

A hotel official said he hoped to reopen in several weeks. Fire officials are investigating.