Dozens of athletes evacuated by fire alarm at Larkspur hotel
Dozens of sleeping athletes were among guests evacuated from a Sacramento hotel late Wednesday night on the eve of Day 1 at masters nationals. Roused by a piercing fire alarm at the Larkspur Landing on Howe Avenue, pentathletes, runners and throwers (some in pajamas) huddled outside the 100-room hotel, which a night supervisor said was 90 percent occupied. The alarms — one to a room — began their incessant shriek and blink about 11:30 p.m. Folks on the third floor (including me and my wife) were at first told to stay in our rooms. But the noise was too much, and we joined many guests who fled to the quiet outdoors.
Sacramento firefighters from two engine companies entered the Larkspur Landing hotel just before midnight. (Photo by Ken Stone)
After two Sacramento fire engine companies found the source of the alarm — a malfunctioning electrical panel on the first floor — guests were allowed to return to their rooms about 12:15 a.m.
No injuries were reported — other than headaches and sore eardrums.
A hotel employee said nothing like this had ever happened before at the Larkspur, where 17 members of the Southern California Striders were staying, along with other athletes including Canadians and Houston Elite members Bill Collins and Rick Riddle.
The night supervisor, who gave his name as Dave, said hotel manager Brian Taramino would have more information in the morning.
While most evacuees took the ouster in good humor, others were angry and suggested that they deserved a refund for that night’s stay.
The following photos are by Ken Stone:
Houston's Bill Collins was among dozens of athletes who left their rooms.
Families made the best of the chilly air around midnight outside the hotel.
Bruce Mintz (left), president of the Edmonton (Alberta) Masters Athletics Club, chatted with Brenda Matthews, president of the Southern California Striders, while waiting for the all clear signal.
A hotel official said the Larkspur was 90 percent occupied at the time.
The Larkspur is about two miles from the track at Sacramento State.
A young family huddled in a stairwell for warmth.
This panel on the hotel's first floor was called source of the alarm.
2 Responses
Ken:
I’m checking into the Larkspur this evening. Please don’t set any fires tonight.
Too bad about the inconvenience. But be happy that the alarms worked at all. Smoke inhalation will overwhelm and kill you in about 10 seconds. Almost no one, including trained fire fighters and highly trained aerobic athletes, has the skill set to deal with the first breath of actual smoke inhalation. Preventing it is the goal.
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