Thursday December, 5 2013 @ 23:08:04

Nature: Structure Fire

Location: Red Mill Inn

Address: 16218 Coastal Hwy Lewes, DE 19958

On Thursday evening, December 5th, the Indian River (80), Milton (85), Memorial (89), Rehoboth Beach (86), Bethany Beach (70) volunteer fire companies were alerted to assist the Lewes Fire Department (82) with a structure fire on Coastal Highway north of Red Mill Pond. It was reported to be a working commercial structure fire at an occupied motel.

Emergency response crews from Indian River included Engine #80-1 and Rescue 80 from the Oak Orchard facility and Engine #80-3 from the Long Neck facility as well as Delaware State Fire Police.

Emergency response crew assignments included to assist with the water resources and have all available personnel report to the manpower pool for specific assignments. Initial arriving units from Lewes identified a heavy smoke and fire conditions and proceeded to mitigate the fire suppression activities as well as establishing water supplies from nearby hydrants, evaculating the entire facility as well as performing primary searches of the resident rooms, and overall incident management.

The Delaware State Police and the Delaware State Fire Police coordinated the closure of southbound Coastal Highway for the duration of the incident as well as lane restrictions for the northbound traffic.

The Delaware State Fire Marshall’s Office in investigating. Additional information may be located via the following websites:

(1) Lewes Fire Department – www.lewesfire.com

http://www.lewesfire.com/gallery.cfm?id=676

Red Mill Inn Structure Fire

Lewes Fire Department assisted by Rehoboth Beach, Milton, and Sussex Medic 104, responded to the Red Mill Inn on Coastal Highway at approx. 1045pm for a working structure fire. Additionally Indian River, and Memorial FC of Slaughter Beach were also brought to the scene while Bethany Beach, Georgetown, and Millsboro Fire Companies provided cover assignments for Lewes and Rehoboth Stations.  Fire was mostly contained to the attic area of the main building with extensive overhaul and damage to several rooms. State Fire Marshall's office is investigating the cause which was estimated to have caused $250,000 worth of damage.

(2) Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company - www.rehobothbeachfire.com

http://www.rehobothbeachfire.com/gallery.cfm?id=594

Interior room and exterior photographs available via this website.

(3) The News Journal – www.delawareonline.com

 http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20131206/NEWS06/312060063/Fire-damages-Red-Mill-Inn-near-Lewes

A smoky fire damaged the Red Mill Inn at 16218 Coastal Highway north of Lewes Thursday night.

Fire crews from Lewes, Milton, Rehoboth Beach, Slaughter Beach, Indian River and Bethany Beach responded to the fire at about 10:45 p.m. and brought the blaze under control in about an hour. Crews were on the scene for more two hours, according to reports from the scene.

The state fire marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze. There were no reported injuries

(4) WGMD Radio 92.7 – www.wgmd.com

http://wgmd.com/common/more.php?m=49&action=blog&r=51&post_id=81131

It was a rough Thursday night for guests at the Red Mill Inn.

A fire broke out in the hotel around 10:30 p.m. Firefighters from Milton, Lewes, Georgetown, Rehoboth Beach and Slaughter Beach responded. Hotel guests were evacuated, and the flames were brought under control by 3 o'clock this morning. No one - guests, staff, or firefighters - was injured.

WGMD will have more information as it becomes available.

(5) Delaware 105.9 FM

No Injuries Reported in Fire at Red Mill Inn in Lewes

By Kelli Steele

Guests at the Red Mill Inn on Route 1 in Lewes had to leave their rooms last night due to a fire. Firemen from several departments were called to the Inn about 10:30 p.m. NO word yet on what started the fire. There were no injuries.

(6) WBOC TV Channel 16 – www.wboc.com

http://www.wboc.com/story/24153381/sussex-county-hotel-fire-causes-evacuation

Sussex County Hotel Fire Causes Evacuation

LEWES,Del.- Guests staying at a hotel in Lewes were forced to leave their rooms and belongings after a fire ripped through the building late Thursday night.

The Delaware State Fire Marshal's Office said the blaze happened around 10:45 p.m. at the Red Mill Inn located on the 16000 block of Coastal Highway.

The Lewes Fire Company responded to the scene and was assisted by several other fire companies. Upon arrival they encountered smoke and fire from the roof of the middle structure of the three building complex, authorities said.

Investigators said the hotel's fire alarm system was activated and alerted occupants of two rooms of the other unaffected buildings.

There were no reported injuries. Damages have been estimated at $250,000.

Investigators said they determined that the fire originated in the ceiling. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

(7) Fire Service News - www.firenews.com

http://firenews.com/multiple-companies-respond-to-lewes-blaze/ 

Multiple Companies Response to Lewes Blaze

A smoky structure fire damaged the Red Mill Inn on Coastal Highway, north of Lewes, on December 5, 2013. Fire crews from Lewes, Milton, Rehoboth Beach, Slaughter Beach, Indian River and Bethany Beach responded to the fire, which was placed under control in about an hour. The Delaware State Fire Marshal investigated the blaze which had no reported injuries. Crews were on the scene for over two hours.

- DFSN photos by Chuck Snyder