JACKSON, Wyo. — An electrical accident at Hotel Jackson on Monday evening led to one injured person and a hotel evacuation, according to Jackson Hole Fire/EMS.
Assistant Fire Chief Brian Coe told Buckrail that firefighters were dispatched at 5:07 p.m. following the report of an explosion and fire at Hotel Jackson. Once Fire/EMS arrived on scene, they deduced that a person who had been working on one of the hotel’s electrical service areas had slipped and “contacted something they weren’t supposed to contact, causing the explosion and subsequent fire,” Coe said.
That individual was transported to St. John’s Health with burns and minor injuries to his hands and face. Coe noted that the individual had been “incredibly lucky” that he wasn’t injured more seriously from the “arc flash” of the 400-amp equipment. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “an electric arc is an electrical explosion that produces a bright flash gas, where temperatures can exceed 35,000°F.”
Hotel guests were evacuated while firefighters extinguished the blaze and confirmed that the fire was entirely external and hadn’t extended inside the structure. Fire/EMS worked with Lower Valley Energy to cut off power to the unit that had ignited. Guests were allowed back inside just before 6 p.m., Coe said.
While the response was underway, Fire/EMS shut down traffic operations on the block of Glenwood St. from Deloney Ave. north to accommodate the fire engine, ambulance and large hydrant hose. Coe said the incident was entirely wrapped up in about two hours.
“Be very wary when working with or around electricity,” Coe said. “Leave it to the professionals to do any of that maintenance work around your home or workplace.”
