The fire occurred at the Old Indio Hotel, a 25,000 sq. ft. two-story hotel built in 1925. The historic building was the host to General Patton in 1942. Patton had established a headquarters for a training center about 20 miles east of Indio.

The first fire crews arrived at the Miles Avenue hotel in the heart of Old Town within minutes of the 10:55 a.m. report. Heavy smoke and flames were showing on both floors of the two-story, brick-and-wood-beam hotel when they arrived. Crews were told those living in the hotel had self-evacuated, but firefighters conducted a quick search to be safe.

After an initial attack on the fire inside the building, firefighters had to pull back and assume defensive positions around the structure. Interior floor collapses kept crews from re-entering the building.

Crews from Indio, Palm Desert, Desert Hot Springs and Coachella responded to the blaze, which had more than 60 personnel assigned. The firefighters kept the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings.

A huge cloud of billowing smoke drew the attention of many residents who gathered along Old Town sidewalks Saturday to watch fire crews at work.

 

 

 

Danger of collapse required a defensive attack.

Fire Fighter uses a deck gun master stream.

 
Aerial master stream from Telesquirt 55.

Aerial master stream frrom Telesquirt 86.

Battalion Chief Paiz gives instructions to Fire Captain Fox.

Indian Wells Telesquirt 55 joins the attack.

Truck 33 applies water.

Firefighters changing air bottles.