Early on Aug. 17, a deadly fire broke out at Tokyo Star hotel in Odesa, killing nine people and injuring 10 others, including four critically, according to the National Police.
According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, rescuers received a call at 1:34 a.m., but firefighters were able to stop the fire, which covered more than 1,000 square meters, only three hours later.
“We lost eight lives this night. Ten people were injured, four of them in critical condition. And it’s not because of war and shelling,” President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on his Facebook page before the ninth dead person was found. “It happened because of criminal negligence and ignoring the elementary norms of fire safety, and because of disregard to human life.”
When the fire started the two-story hotel, remade from an old tram depot, had about 200 guests, according to director of emergency response department Volodymur Demchuk.
Most people were asleep at that time, and could not find their clothes in the dark. They wrapped themselves in towels and sheets and ran out into the street while 65 rescuers backed by 13 emergency vehicles had put out the blaze, 7 Channel Odesa reported. Dozens of rescued people found shelter from an Odesa citizen.
The causes of the fire are still unclear, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
Odesa police say they have initiated criminal proceedings under a law against violations of fire safety.
“I’ll personally ensure that the punishment will be in accordance with the law and the requirements of justice. The personal income shouldn’t be above human life,” said Zelensky.
Scandalous hotel
Tokyo Star is one of the cheapest hotels in Odesa, the southern Black Sea port city of 1 million people located 475 kilometers south of Kyiv. Prices start from Hr 390, or $14, per night for a room without a window. It is located near the train station and famous Odesa Privoz market.
The owner of Tokyo Star hotel is local businessman Vadym Cherny, who also owns another scandalous hotel in Odesa called Zirka, repeatedly reported by local media as a place where prostitution flourishes.
Cherny denied any accusations. “There was a disaster. If there is any fault from our side, we will take full responsibility (for the fire), and I will be the first,” Cherny told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
