A Scottsbluff hotel, America’s Best Value Inn, was damaged early Friday morning by an arson fire set by a guest, then was closed when the fire investigation found numerous fire code violations including exit doors chained or padlocked shut
Scottsbluff Fire Marshal Anthony Murphy told KNEB news the motel has a long-standing history of multiple violations, so its certificate of occupancy has been revoked until the building is brought up to codes.
As for the fire, it was reported about 2:30 AM with heavy smoke coming from a room on the 2nd floor. Firefighter quickly extinguished the fire and ventilated the building.. There were no injuries.
The occupant of the burned room, 40-year old Juan Jose Olvera, managed to escape out the window with other hotel guests evacuating as fire crews arrived.
A preliminary investigation determined Olvera started the fire and he was arrested for 1st-degree arson