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MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Washington Park hotel owners sued for fire

Owners of the Washington Park Econo Inn, where a fire claimed two lives on March 27, were sued by the estates of Carlos Glispie and Katrice Carraway, who was three months pregnant.

The suit was filed April 7 in St. Clair County Circuit Court by an attorney handling the couple's estate, Chris Montroy of the Montroy Law Offices in East St. Louis. The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $50,000.

According to a press release issued by Montroy, "The fire began in the early hours of Sunday, March 27th, in Room 206 at the Econo Inn.

"Mr. Glispie and Ms. Carraway were in Room 208, where Ms. Carraway was later found deceased with her cell phone still pressed to her ear. The rooms on the second floor of the building had bars on the windows, the hotel did not have a working sprinkler system, and it was reported that at least one of the exits was obstructed.

The suit claims the hotel was negligent for failing to provide a safe means to escape and a proper fire alarm and sprinkler system.

“When the owners of the Econo Inn opened their doors of their motel to the public, they had a duty to make their establishment safe," said Montroy. "That includes having a proper alarm system and providing a safe means of egress in cases of emergency.”

According to the press release, the law firm has obtained a temporary restraining order that prevents the owners of the Econo Inn from altering the property until their expert has an opportunity to inspect the motel.

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