105,313Records 71,083Employers 85,290Hospitalizations 27,770Amputations 2015-01-01 2025-10-31
Safety Incidents OSHA Severe Injury Reports · 2015–2025

OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14303978

BURN,ALARM,FIRE,FIRE ESCAPE,SMOKE,UNTRAINED,SMOKE INHALATION

Event
BURN,ALARM,FIRE,FIRE ESCAPE,SMOKE,UNTRAINED,SMOKE INHALATION
Linked inspection
No inspection record linked to this accident's victims.
Summary number
14303978
Report ID
257260

Event description

EMPLOYEES KILLED AND INJURED IN HOTEL FIRE

Investigation abstract

AT APPROXIMATELY 3:15 PM ON DECEMBER 31, 1986, A FIRE OF GREAT SIZE AND INTENSIT NOT GENERALLY KNOWN, AND WAS SECURED BY TWO LOCKS. AN INVESTIGATION AFTER THE FI RE REVEALED THAT THE SECOND EXIT CONSISTED OF A SMALL HOLE IN THE WALL, AND WAS MADE OUT OF WOOD. THE HOTEL EMPLOYEES HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY TRAINING IN THE USE O F FIRE EXTINGUISHERS OR IN THE PLAN OF EVACUATION. THERE WERE NEVER ANY FIRE DRI LLS CONDUCTED. THERE WAS NO FIRE ALARM SYSTEM OF ANY KIND. THE FIRE ESCAPES WERE IN SUCH TERRIBLE CONDITION THAT THEY WERE UNUSABLE. 18 EMPLOYEES DIED AND 90 WE RE INJURED AS A RESULT OF THIS FIRE. (NOTE: LATER INFORMATION LED INVESTIGATORS TO BELIEVE THE FIRE WAS THE RESULT OF ARSON - STARTED BY DISGRUNTLED HOTEL EMPLO YEES IN REVENGE FOR ALLEGED MALTREATMENT BY HOTEL MANAGEMENT. A TOTAL OF 75 EMPL OYEES WERE LISTED IN INJURY LINE. WG) Y BROKE OUT IN THE BALLROOM OF THE HOTEL DUPONT PLAZA IN SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO. THE HOTEL EMPLOYEES WERE PERFORMING THEIR ASSIGNED TASKS, WITH NO SIGNS OF ANYTH ING AMISS. NO ONE NOTICED THE FIRE STARTING. NO WARNING OF ANY KIND WAS RECEIVED BY ANY OF THE HOTEL EMPLOYEES. BY THE TIME THE FIRE WAS NOTICED, IT WAS SO FAR ADVANCED THAT ESCAPE WAS NOT POSSIBLE. THE MAIN EXIT, LOCATED IN THE CASINO AREA (EAST SIDE OF THE BUILDING), WAS UNREACHABLE BECAUSE OF HEAVY SMOKE AND THE PAN ICKED MOB TRYING TO GET OUT. THERE WAS ANOTHER EXIT LOCATED ON THE SECOND FLOOR, NEAR THE CROUPIER'S LOUNGE. UNFORTUNATELY, THE LOCATION OF THE SECOND EXIT WAS

Victims (75)

  1. #1 Fatality Age 43 M

    Nature of injury
    2
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    8
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  2. #10 Fatality Age 68 M

    Nature of injury
    2
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    8
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  3. #11 Fatality Age 50 M

    Nature of injury
    2
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    8
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  4. #12 Fatality Age 47 M

    Nature of injury
    2
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    8
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  5. #13 Fatality Age 55 M

    Nature of injury
    2
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    8
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  6. #14 Fatality Age 42 M

    Nature of injury
    2
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    8
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    19
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  7. #15 Fatality Age 60 M

    Nature of injury
    2
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    8
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    435
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  8. #16 Fatality Age 30 M

    Nature of injury
    2
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    8
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  9. #17 Hospitalized Age 24 F

    Nature of injury
    5
    Part of body
    19
    Event type
    12
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    307
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    11
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  10. #18 Hospitalized Age 21 F

    Nature of injury
    5
    Part of body
    19
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    276
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    11
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  11. #19 Hospitalized Age 53 M

    Nature of injury
    12
    Part of body
    16
    Event type
    5
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  12. #2 Fatality Age 47 M

    Nature of injury
    2
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    8
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  13. #20 Fatality Age 38 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    19
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    11
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  14. #21 Fatality Age 40 M

    Nature of injury
    2
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    8
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    436
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  15. #22 Hospitalized Age 65 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    443
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  16. #23 Non-hospitalized injury Age 68 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    443
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  17. #24 Non-hospitalized injury Age 56 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    19
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  18. #25 Non-hospitalized injury Age 50 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    435
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  19. #26 Non-hospitalized injury Age 30 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    449
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  20. #27 Non-hospitalized injury Age 44 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  21. #28 Non-hospitalized injury Age 45 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  22. #29 Non-hospitalized injury Age 26 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  23. #3 Fatality Age 47 M

    Nature of injury
    2
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    8
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    37
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  24. #30 Non-hospitalized injury Age 51 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    436
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  25. #31 Non-hospitalized injury Age 30 F

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    449
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  26. #32 Hospitalized Age 30 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  27. #33 Hospitalized Age 43 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    276
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  28. #34 Non-hospitalized injury Age 60 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    434
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  29. #35 Hospitalized Age 55 F

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    449
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  30. #36 Non-hospitalized injury Age 28 F

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  31. #37 Hospitalized Age 43 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  32. #38 Hospitalized Age 46 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    276
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  33. #39 Hospitalized Age 47 F

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    338
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  34. #4 Fatality Age 42 M

    Nature of injury
    2
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    8
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  35. #40 Non-hospitalized injury Age 47 F

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    313
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  36. #41 Non-hospitalized injury Age 56 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    436
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  37. #42 Non-hospitalized injury Age 30 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    435
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  38. #43 Non-hospitalized injury Age 49 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  39. #44 Non-hospitalized injury Age 49 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  40. #45 Non-hospitalized injury Age 60 F

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    8
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  41. #46 Non-hospitalized injury Age 47 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    307
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  42. #47 Non-hospitalized injury Age 41 F

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    315
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  43. #48 Non-hospitalized injury Age 46 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    276
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  44. #49 Non-hospitalized injury Age 48 F

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    449
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  45. #5 Fatality Age 57 M

    Nature of injury
    2
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    8
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    276
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  46. #50 Non-hospitalized injury Age 52 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    307
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  47. #51 Non-hospitalized injury Age 54 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    434
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  48. #52 Non-hospitalized injury Age 57 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    436
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  49. #53 Non-hospitalized injury Age 46 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    435
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  50. #54 Non-hospitalized injury Age 43 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    276
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  51. #55 Non-hospitalized injury Age 51 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    443
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  52. #56 Non-hospitalized injury Age 28 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  53. #57 Non-hospitalized injury Age 61 F

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    405
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  54. #58 Non-hospitalized injury Age 46 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  55. #59 Non-hospitalized injury Age 43 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    276
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  56. #6 Fatality Age 25 M

    Nature of injury
    2
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    8
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    307
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  57. #60 Non-hospitalized injury Age 52 F

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    449
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  58. #61 Non-hospitalized injury Age 54 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    37
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  59. #62 Non-hospitalized injury Age 45 F

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    449
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  60. #63 Non-hospitalized injury Age 42 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  61. #64 Non-hospitalized injury Age 47 F

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    449
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  62. #65 Non-hospitalized injury Age 34 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    427
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  63. #66 Non-hospitalized injury Age 47 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  64. #67 Non-hospitalized injury Age 39 F

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    449
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  65. #68 Non-hospitalized injury Age 44 F

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    449
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  66. #69 Non-hospitalized injury Age 53 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    449
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  67. #7 Fatality Age 52 M

    Nature of injury
    2
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    8
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    307
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  68. #70 Non-hospitalized injury Age 65 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    449
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  69. #71 Non-hospitalized injury Age 43 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  70. #72 Non-hospitalized injury Age 27 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  71. #73 Non-hospitalized injury Age 32 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    443
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  72. #74 Non-hospitalized injury Age 30 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  73. #75 Non-hospitalized injury Age 54 M

    Nature of injury
    21
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    14
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  74. #8 Fatality Age 36 M

    Nature of injury
    2
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    8
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

  75. #9 Fatality Age 52 M

    Nature of injury
    2
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    8
    Source
    16
    Occupation code
    307
    Human factor
    4
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    8880
    Task assigned
    1

Codes shown verbatim from OSHA's accident-investigation database. A human-readable decoder is coming in a future release once the accident_lookup2 dictionary is loaded.

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