The historic El Rancho Motel on Route 66 in Barstow, Calif., caught fire late Friday night, reports the town’s Desert Dispatch.
There were no injuries to residents, although a firefighter suffered an ankle injury. The extent of the damage to the motel remains a bit sketchy. However, the Dispatch’s report indicates the roof collapsed on part of at least one wing of the motel.
The Dispatch promises more extensive coverage in its Sunday editions.
A vintage image of the motel can be seen here.
UPDATE: I just got off the phone with Deb Hodkin, curator for the Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum, just a few blocks from El Rancho. Her husband Ken went to the fire scene, and he reports that the blaze was contained in a rear west portion of the motel — the same area that sustained a damaging fire about a year ago. This part of the motel cannot be seen from Route 66. The rest of the motel complex is fine. However, it appears the fire-damaged portion may have to be torn down.
UPDATE2: Ken Hodkin supplied me these photos of the fire damage at the motel:
UPDATE3: An updated story by the Desert Dispatch says the fire was likely caused by electrical problems.