In the early morning hours of March 16, 2008, a fire broke out in the Best Western Playa Suites in Acapulco, Mexico. Several college students, who booked their trip through StudentCity.com, were staying at the hotel. There were no serious injuries reported, although at least two students were treated for smoke inhalation. According to a hotel employee, the fire began in the laundry room on the 5th floor of Tower 2. Other reports suggest the fire started in a basement.
Fast Facts:
- For more information, contact StudentCity.com at (888) 777-4642
- StudentCity.com's insurance company can be reached at (866) 385-4839
- StudentCity.com may consider refunding trip costs on a case-by-case basis
- Hotel: Best Western Playa Suites
- Fire began at approximately 4 a.m.
- WCVB reported a student complained that the hotel's fire alarms did not work
- Several students reported cash, credit cards and other personal items stolen during the evacuation
- Many students returned home March 17, 2008
- Remaining students given alternate accommodations
Acapulco Hotel Fire News
- Topix.net: Acapulco Hotel Fire News
- Google News: Acapulco Hotel Fire
- PRNewswire: Update on Status of Studentcity Spring Break Students in Acapulco (March 20, 2008)
- LATimes.com: Acapulco Hotel Fire Sends Spring Breakers Home (March 18, 2008)
- Connecticut Post: Spring break snuffed as fire hits hotel (March 19, 2008)
- According to Murphy, Peabody, Mass.-based StudentCity.com, through which she booked the trip, offered her another trip instead of a refund.
- "I don't want to go on another trip with them," she said.
- YouTube: Play Suites Acapulco Fire
- The Daily Item (Lynn, MA): Peabody company lends a hand to stranded UNH students... (March 17, 2008)
- The Daily Collegian (Penn State): Several students stuck in Mexico after break trip (March 17, 2008)
- WCVB (Boston): Video: Fire Forces Local Spring Breakers Out Of Hotel (Time: 0:37)
- 6ABC.com (Philadelphia): Students return after Spring Break scare (March 17, 2008)
- "'No fire alarm, no smoke detector, no sprinkler systems. I woke up to smell,' says Doug Flynn."
- WMUR (Manchester, NH): UNH Students Evacuated In Mexico Fire Report Items Stolen (March 17, 2008)
- "Some students said thieves got into their empty hotel rooms after the fire and took off with money and credit cards."
- The Boston Globe: N.H. students rousted from hotel by fire (March 17, 2008)
- StudentCity.com: Update on Playa Suites in Acapulco (March 17, 2008)
- "We understand that are many different stories going around. All reports to us from authorities on location have stated that every single person has been accounted for. Everyone who required medical attention received it. Two students were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, both have been since released. Parents have been notified."
- WCVB (Boston): Fire Forces Local Spring Breakers Out Of Hotel (March 16, 2008)
- WMUR (Manchester, NH): UNH Students Caught In Hotel Fire In Mexico (March 16, 2008)
Acapulco Hotel Fire Blogs and Messageboards
Google Blog Search: Acapulco Hotel Fire
TripAdvisor Acapulco Forum: Fire at Playa Suites this am (March 16, 2008)
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