California Motel Forced to Close Following Two Fatal Incidents in Same Room
A California motel has been officially shut down after authorities found two women deceased in the same room within a span of just days. The Eureka police department in northern California issued a news release detailing the tragic events that led to the closure of the establishment, identified by local media as the Lamplighter Inn.
First Incident on February 21
On February 21, officers and Humboldt Bay fire personnel responded to a motel on the 4000 block of Broadway Street in Eureka following a report of two unconscious individuals suspected of a drug overdose. Upon arrival, police discovered a 37-year-old woman had already passed away. The other person was rushed to a local hospital for emergency treatment.
Second Incident on February 26
Several days later, on February 26, police were dispatched again to the exact same motel room after another report of two unconscious individuals, also from a suspected drug overdose. Authorities confirmed that a 36-year-old woman was found deceased at the scene. The other individual was in critical condition and transported to a hospital for urgent care.
Carbon Monoxide Exposure Discovered
During the second incident, Humboldt Bay fire personnel on the scene began showing signs of mild carbon monoxide exposure. Subsequent atmospheric monitoring inside the room revealed alarmingly elevated levels of carbon monoxide. Police noted that no carbon monoxide detectors were present in the room, creating a potentially deadly environment.
Immediate Evacuation and Investigation
Fire officers, detectives, evidence technicians, and Pacific Gas & Electric Company representatives all converged on the scene. All occupants of the motel were immediately evacuated while the building underwent thorough ventilation procedures to clear the hazardous air.
Official Closure Order Issued
The chief building official, Humboldt Bay fire chief, and fire marshall collectively determined that the motel should remain unoccupied until comprehensive mechanical inspections of every room were completed and all additional fire code violations were properly addressed. The city of Eureka building official served the business owner with a first and final notice requiring the location to be closed until all identified violations were remedied and inspected.
Permanent Shutdown and Safety Requirements
According to documentation obtained by northern California's Local Coast Outpost, the motel was officially shut down on March 3 and will remain closed until the hearing and ventilation systems in every single room are inspected and certified as safe. A letter from the city explicitly states that all equipment must be confirmed to be in proper working condition before any occupancy is allowed or utilities are restored. Furthermore, the business must ensure that each room is equipped with fully functioning carbon monoxide detectors, all of which must be in good working order.
Ongoing Investigation
The Humboldt county sheriff coroner's office has been contacted regarding both cases. The advised cause of death for both decedents is currently listed as pending investigation. Authorities are withholding the names of the deceased until proper notification of next of kin can be verified. This remains an ongoing active, multi-agency investigation involving multiple law enforcement and safety organizations.
