A fire Thursday morning damaged the historic Silver Spur Motel in Amarillo, Texas, causing about $60,000 in losses.
The motel, noted for its vintage cowboy-boot neon sign, is at 4011 Amarillo Blvd. East (aka Route 66).
According to a local television station, the fire began about 11 a.m.:
Officials say the owner of the motel stepped outside and saw smoke coming from the office building.
When crews arrived at the scene, the office building of the motel had heavy, black smoke pouring out of the east and west ends. A fire was inside at the east end of the building.
The fire was under control by 11:17 a.m.
The Amarillo Fire Marshal’s Office said the fire was accidental, citing a possible electrical malfunction.
A video after the fire by one of Amarillo’s TV stations showed little exterior damage from the fire.
No history for the Silver Spur Motel is online, but a postcard from the 1940s shows the establishment operating then.
(Hat tip to Nick Gerlich; excerpted image of the Silver Spur Motel sign via Google Street View)
How much in the way of fire/smoke alarms and sprinklers would $60,000 have bought?