Blaze Destroys Hotel, 15 Businesses

OAKDALE, Calif. — A massive fire in the Valley Inn Hotel on Tuesday sent 40 residents fleeing from their beds, and the spreading flames engulfed a city block, destroying 15 businesses despite the efforts of 100 firefighters.

Damage was estimated in excess of $1.5 million.

The racing flames in this Stanislaus County town spread to the Odd Fellows Building next door and eventually engulfed all of the buildings on the block. A pet store was among the structures burned. All the animals were killed.

The fire was finally controlled after burning for more than four hours. There were no reports of injuries.

The cause was under investigation. Billy Robison, interim manager of the hotel, said he had been threatened in a parking lot recently by a person who said he would burn down the building.