Blaze Ignites at White House Hotel; Quick Response Averts Disaster

WHITE HOUSE, TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – A late evening structure fire at the Quality Inn on Hester Drive in White House (TN) was quickly brought under control Thursday night, limiting damage and preventing the fire from spreading further through the building. MAP

White House Fire Department units were dispatched around 8:36 pm after reports of dark smoke and flames coming from the exterior of the hotel. A fire alarm was sounding as hotel staff worked to evacuate guests. Firefighters arrived to find fire involvement near an exterior column and quickly established command.

Assistant Fire Chief Cary Pettit said crews made a strong stop on the fire shortly after arrival, keeping damage relatively minor.

“The damage sustained was actually fairly light,” Pettit said. “There was a small amount of damage in the attic and to the roof, and one exterior column burned completely. That’s where we believe the fire started, but it hasn’t been confirmed yet.”

Pettit said two hotel guests who noticed the fire acted quickly by throwing water on it before crews arrived. That action likely prevented the fire from spreading.

“That probably saved the hotel,” Pettit said. “When we got there, it was very close to spreading. Once it would have spread, it would have gone substantially further.”

The hotel was temporarily closed following the incident to allow for a full investigation and inspection of electrical systems. Pettit said the closure is a precaution to ensure there are no hidden hazards before reopening.

“It’s closed until we can complete the investigation and the insurance investigators give them a release to reopen,” Pettit said.

Roughly 35 guests were displaced by the fire. The American Red Cross responded to assist, and hotel management arranged lodging at other local hotels so all guests had a place to stay for the night.

Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including White House Community Volunteer Fire Department, Cross Plains Fire, Millersville Fire, White House Police, Robertson County EMS, and Robertson County EMA. Utilities were secured during the response, with gas shut off and electrical power disconnected to the building as a safety measure.

Pettit credited the first arriving crew and assisting agencies for preventing a much more serious outcome.

“Our first crew did an amazing job getting on top of that fire and stopping it,” he said. “All of the responding agencies showed up in force and provided extra personnel and equipment, and that made a big difference.”

Fire officials estimate damage to the structure at less than 10 percent. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

This story will be updated if additional information becomes available.

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