Old Castle Motel Burns

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Beaumont, TEXAS– Around 45 Beaumont firefighters battled a blaze at the abandoned Castle Motel located at 1125 North 11th Street.

The fire ignited around 12:30 a.m. Saturday.  

Fire Captain Earl White said he believes it was intentionally set, possibly by a transient.

Emergency crews blocked off North 11th Street near the motel while firefighters worked to put out the flames.

The fire under control after crews used master water streams for around two hours. They were assisted by Beaumont Police Officers for traffic control.  Equipment was brought to the scene by the Streets and Drainage Department to assist fire crews in knocking down obstructions to reach the remaining fires. 

Captain White said off-duty firefighters were called in to help.  He said there was at least 10 fire engines at the scene.  

Captain White said the motel complex is made up of six buildings.  He said two of the buildings were heavily involved by fire when units arrived. Firefighters quickly called a 2nd alarm and additional fire units were dispatched.

The fire comes just days after Beaumont City Council voted to have the old motel demolished.  On Tuesday, council members approved a contract with ARC Abatement of Houston for asbestos abatement and demolition.

The motel was condemned in 2012, 60 years after it originally opened.

A complaint by a tenant led to a city inspection that exposed damaged and defective electrical wiring, and unsanitary living conditions.

Since its closing, Captain White said the motel has become a place where homeless people seek shelter.  He says some transients at the scene were detained and questioned about the fire, but were allowed to leave after authorities determined they had nothing to do with the alleged arson.

The Castle had not only been a motel, but also a restaurant.  In it’s heyday in the 1950’s and 60’s, it was a popular spot for affluent guests.

But in its final days, police say it had become a gathering spot for prostitutes adn drug dealers, and rooms were being rented for $25 a night.

Captain White says the building has been without electricity and other utilities for two years

No suspects in the arson have been identified. 

No firefighters, police or assisting city employees were injured.

 

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