For immediate release: June 4, 2008 (08-091)

Contacts:
Shannon Walker, Facilities and Services Licensing 360-236-2933
Allison Cook, Communications Office 360-236-4022

OLYMPIA ¾ The license of the Holiday Motel in Skagit County has been immediately suspended by the state Department of Health. The motel, located at 2903 Commercial Ave. in Anacortes, poses an immediate safety hazard to guests.

Investigators found numerous electrical and gas line problems throughout the facility, widespread fire and safety violations, and many maintenance and sanitation problems.

Motel room conditions (http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2008_news/docs/HolidayMotel.htm) include unsafe electrical wiring; non-working smoke detectors; unsanitary floors, walls, and fixtures; and other unsanitary conditions. A "live" gas pipe was present in one room — so that if the valve was turned, gas would be released into the unit. This presents a serious fire, explosion, and asphyxiation risk for motel guests.

All guests must be vacated by midnight, June 8, 2008. The motel cannot house guests until a hearing is held. The motel owner has 10 days to request a prompt hearing and 28 days to contest these charges.

To report complaints about a hotel or motel, contact the program’s hotline at 1-800-633-6828.

Motels offering three or more units to guests for less than 30 days must be licensed by the state’s Facilities and Services Licensing Program. The program licenses about 1,700 motels, hotels, inns, resorts, and bed and breakfast facilities in the state. It enforces health and safety standards for those establishments.

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