SEYMOUR, Ind. — The City of Seymour issued an emergency order on Thursday to close a hotel due to unsafe conditions. The emergency closure order states the property, Knights Inn, located at 207 Sandy Creek Drive, presents a clear and immediate hazard of death or serious bodily injury to any person.
The hotel was built in 1988 and consists of 95 units. It has been under the ownership of Ashok Patel since 2018, according to the city.
Seymour Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Anthony Walker said he was told by Patel there are 40 people currently staying in the building. Walker also said he contacted the American Red Cross, Anchor House, and other motels to try to relocate those people.
The Seymour Fire Department conducted inspections on September 27 and October 5 of this year and reportedly saw multiple state fire code violations including broken and missing vent and electrical covers, missing or non-working smoke detectors, and no history of sprinkler and fire alarm system or hydrant testing. They also saw unsecured electrical fixtures, broken emergency exit lights, locked exit doors, open junction boxes, and more.
During the inspection on September 27, the Jackson County Health Department found many of the rooms to be deficient and not compliant with county housing code minimum housing standards. Issues included mold and water damage, broken windows, roaches, human feces on the floor, unsanitary conditions due to backed-up toilets, and rotten wood.
The hotel will remain closed and uninhabited until all violations have been corrected, according to the city.
