Howard Johnson hotel closed again

The city has again shut down the Howard Johnson Hotel for a list of lingering fire code violations.

This morning, city firefighters ordered the building vacated by 1:30 pm because the owners had failed to comply with a litany of outstanding orders, some dating back more than a month.

Firefighters on scene said only about 13 people were staying in the few rooms deemed habitable when the city allowed a limited reopening earlier this month.

On Nov. 23, fire safety inspectors closed the hotel on Ellice Avenue near Polo Park, saying it was a deadly fire waiting to happen.

Dozens of people — many in town from remote communities for medical care — were forced to find other accomodations.