Banning's Former Oyo Hotel Burns Again; Residents Want Answers

BANNING, CA — Firefighters quickly contained a blaze that burned the abandoned Oyo Hotel in Banning Tuesday for the third time in three weeks.

No injuries were reported in the fire, however, the frequent blazes raise questions about who is managing the abandoned structure.

The blaze was reported around 6:50 a.m. at the former hotel at the intersection of Ramsey and 12th streets, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

Upon arrival, firefighters reported heavy smoke and flames from the structure. The fire was contained roughly 20 minutes after they arrived, officials said.

Multiple fires have broken out in the past two years at the abandoned hotel, formerly the Hacienda Hotel, before it later became the Oyo Hotel.

Over that time, the city put the property into receivership. The receiver placed a fence around the perimeter, posted no trespassing signs, and hired a security guard who has lately gone absentee, according to the Banning city manager's office, all to discourage people from seeking shelter there. Still, the property's fate remains in limbo.

"There's not much left to burn except the structure at this point," Banning City Manager Doug Schulze recently told Patch after the last fire.

After Tuesday morning's blaze, Shulze said the building has been red-tagged "many times."

Shulze explained that the city pursued receivership with the expectation that a court-appointed receiver would secure the property and swiftly mitigate code violations to bring the property into compliance.

"The City is demanding 24/7 security at the property as a means to keep people safe," Shulze told Patch in an email. "We send building inspectors, code enforcement and our Fire Marshal to the property following each fire to assess the structure. (The) Fire Department personnel are kept abreast of the structure status so they can determine how best to safely do their jobs."

There have been multiple fires at the building since it was vacated by the owner. Video from a drone sent to Patch by Local_Informatn01 over Twitter shows the current state of the hotel from the air.

Meanwhile, residents want answers, as shared in a previous Patch report.

Shealy McMartin wrote that a security guard seems to be at the premises.

"I walk by there with my dog sometimes and the guy himself has a big dog in the back seat with him," McMartin commented. "I assume some security person is there every night, but maybe I'm wrong."

Dan Nelson commented that he believes the city of Banning should look into tearing the structure down.

"Banning should take the property by eminent domain," he suggested in a previous comment.

Steven Gregory wrote on Patch that such fires have "gone on for years at multiple locations. Tear that eye sore down!"

The cause of the fire was not immediately available.

Related:

Abandoned Banning Hotel Burns 2nd Time In 2 Weeks, Under Investigation

Abandoned Banning Motel Catches Fire, Again

Fire Burns Abandoned Hotel In Banning

Fire Rips Through 2 Rooms Of Hotel In Banning, Extinguished

Fire Engulfs Banning Motel

What's Next For Capistrano Seaside Inn: Eyesore And Historic Fail