1 killed, 3 hurt as wall of condemned Baguio hotel collapses

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – A worker was killed and at least 3 others were hurt when one of the walls of the condemned Burnham Hotel collapsed late Saturday morning, September 26.

Police said that construction workers of Alfonso Lao Construction were demolishing the hotel when the wall collapsed at around 11 am on Saturday, killing on the spot Bryan Fangsilan of Barangay San Carlos Heights.

Those injured were identified as Junel Aquino, Jordan Francisco, and William Flores, all residents of Sison, Pangasinan. They were brought to the Baguio General Hospital for treatment.

Police reports said the construction workers had just come from their break and were about to start demolishing the building again when the wall fell on them.

The hotel, typical of the Art Deco-type inns buit during the golden age of Baguio tourism, has been condemned since 2013. It was one of the more iconic downtown hotels of Baguio in the 1960s and 1970s.

When it was still operational 5 years ago, backpackers’ travel guide Lonely Planet described it as a hotel past its prime.

“This old-fashioned hotel in the city center has a wonderful common area festooned with indigenous handicrafts, antiques and old photos. The rooms are also attractively decorated, although some are looking a little threadbare these days. Request one away from the noisy street,” Lonely Planet said. – Rappler.com