Abandoned Sahara Hotel Burns In Desert Hot Springs

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA — On Monday morning, a hotel — reported as abandoned and unoccupied — in Desert Hot Springs caught fire for unknown reasons.

Officials arrived at the shuttered Sahara Resort and Spa, 66700 block of Fifth Street at 6:15 a.m. to find the second story of the hotel fully aflame. A second engine came to help douse the blaze.

"It has been a vacant building," a Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokesperson said. No firefighters reported injuries during the firefight.

The battle to douse the burning empty building lasted about an hour, but firefighters remained at the scene until after 9 a.m.

Desert Hot Springs police, SoCal Edison and SoCal Gas were all called to the scene to ensure the neighborhood's safety and block roadways, according to a Cal Fire spokesperson.

Witnesses called 911 with reports of smoke and flames rising from the second story of the abandoned property in the early morning hours, according to Cal Fire reports.

The cause of the fire was under investigation. Approximately $500,000 worth of damage was done to the structure, and $500,000 save due to firefighting efforts, Cal Fire reported.

Though the Sahara Resort and Spa was described as "unoccupied" the most recent review of the property on Google Reviews showed guests checked in as little as two weeks ago, stating that "homeless people are staying here."

Pictures of rooms and grounds posted to Google showed cars without wheels and broken fencing, doors and dilapidated pools.

The hotel is no longer taking reservations, and the number associated with it is out of service.

Patch has reached out to the Desert Hot Springs police department for further information.