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Fire rouses guests at hotel
By CARRIE JOHNSON, JORGE SANCHEZ and JIM ROSS INVERNESS -- An early-morning fire emptied the historic Crown Hotel on Wednesday, but damage to the Inverness landmark was minimal. Three fire companies scrambled to the downtown hotel at 6:40 a.m. after the small blaze was reported in a second-floor air-conditioning duct. But hoses and ladders weren't necessary. Firefighters snuffed the fire with a small, handheld extinguisher, said Fire Services Director Mike Schlaudraff. "The fire was small, but it was putting out a lot of smoke," he said. Firefighters cut a small hole in the ceiling of the room where the duct is located to allow smoke to escape. Damage was estimated at $500, said Public Safety Director Charles Poliseno. About 10 to 12 guests were staying at the hotel. They were roused from their beds by Inverness Police Cpl. Scott Rousch, who knocked on all the doors then used a pass key to ensure the building had been evacuated. No injuries were reported and the hotel remains open for business. Sal and Arlene D'Amico, who were visiting from East Brunswick, N.J., said they were awakened from a deep sleep by the hotel's fire alarm. "There's wasn't time to be scared," said Mrs. D'Amico. "We just put on our clothes and left." Still wearing pajamas, the couple clambered down the fire escape from their third-floor room. "That was our excitement for the day," said D'Amico, laughing. But the D'Amicos, who have been in Citrus County for a week visiting relatives, made no plans to leave. In fact, they intend to stay at the Crown through Friday. "It doesn't really smell like smoke," D'Amico said. Poliseno said the fire started in an "air-handler," the portion of an air-conditioning unit where air is distributed to different vents. The handler contains heat strips to warm the air, and they may have ignited. He said the unit may have been turned on at the time of the blaze. While there was no indication Wednesday of anything suspicious, the State Fire Marshal's office will make the final determination as to the cause of the fire, Poliseno said. Lt. Gloria Perrotti of the Fire Marshal's Office did not return a telephone call seeking comment Wednesday. Hotel owner Thomas Dryburg declined to speak with reporters. Dryburg and business partner P.C. Hyland bought the Crown in late November from longtime owners Jill and Nigel Sumner. At the time, Dryburg told the Citrus Times the selling price was $1.35-million. During a later interview, Hyland said that figure was not necessarily correct. She declined to cite the accurate figure. The new owners immediately announced plans to restore the British-style inn and pub to its former glory. They also planned to add a European-style spa and transform the restaurant into a five-star gem. Dryburg said he had extensive hospitality experience, including stints as an employee at the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia and as owner of properties in St. Augustine, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. He also owned a health care company. Hyland is a chiropractor.
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