Homeless Woman Accidentally Caused Fire In Cortez Building’s Garage

A homeless woman living out of her van accidentally started the fire inside the parking garage that is connected to the historic Cortez Building, El Paso Fire Dept. investigators said.

Investigators said the woman, whose name was not released, was checking her propane heater and that is what sparked the fire. The 50-year-old was able to climb out of the back of her van and she was taken to University Medical Center with burns to her hands.

The fire also fully engulfed two other vehicles.

More than two dozen firefighters responded to the fire.

Total damage was estimated at $3,500.

View photos from the scene

The fire was on the fourth floor of the parking garage. There were no injuries.

The last hotel-related fire was ono Nov. 12, 2005 at the then closed-down International Hotel in Downtown El Paso. The fire was confined to two rooms on the 8th floor. More than 100 firefighters fought that fire. . The Cortez Building, 310 N. Mesa, was formerly known as the Hotel Cortez. It was designed by Henry C. Trost and opened on September 10, 1926. When it opened it was advertised as a “Castle of Old Spain on the Plaza of El Paso.” The hotel was sold in 1935 and renamed Hotel Cortez.

The hotel is an elaborate representation of the Spanish Colonial Revival Style. One of the building’s unique features is a series of portrait heads of conquistadors staring out of roundels above the first floor level.

In 1984 the Cortez Building was restored and renovated into professional offices.