Fire rips through Stag Hotel

Firefighters from Cal Fire at Pajaro Dunes douse hot spots in a fire that erupted at the Stag Hotel on West Beach Street in Watsonville Monday afternoon. (Photos by Tarmo Hannula and Erik Chalhoub).

WATSONVILLE — Fire ripped through the Stag Hotel on West Beach Street Monday evening, with 17 residents suffering from injuries ranging from severe burns to smoke inhalation.

Fourteen vehicles responded to the fire, which filled the area around West Beach Street and Rodriguez Street with smoke. The fire started about 5:45 p.m. and was out about 20 minutes later.

Many bystanders helped police and firefighters get people out of the burning building or helped with ladders and hoses.

One man reportedly jumped from the second-story window to avoid the smoke and fire. Other residents said they considered jumping from the second story.

"I stuck my head out the bathroom window," said Rick Cresswell, whose face was blackened from the smoke.  "I thought about jumping."

A large crowd gathered on the other side of West Beach Street as firefighters and police worked on the blaze and helped the many victims.

Fire agencies working on scene include Watsonville Fire, Aptos-La Selva Fire, Central Fire, Cal Fire and North Monterey County Fire.

As the fire started and smoke was pouring out of the building, Nolberto Froylan said he helped pull down a makeshift fence between the Stag Hotel and the Discount Mall.

Froylan said he and four others ripped down the fence, went down the smoked-filled alley and either helped residents out of the hotel or assured them that help was coming.

One man in a second-story window started pleading with Froylan, he said.

"We told him not to panic, that a ladder was coming," Froylan said. "We told another guy not to jump."

Mark Crepinsek, one of many residents blackened with smoke, was in his room upstairs when the fire started.

“The whole hallway filled with smoke,” Crepinsek said. “I couldn’t see.”

As he survey the smoking building across the street, Crepinsek said what many other residents were thinking. “Man, I left all my stuff up there.”









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