Throwback Thursday: Remembering the Howard Johnson’s tragedy - wnky.com

January 12, 2023

Twenty-seven years ago this week, the Bowling Green community was still reeling
from the aftermath of the infamous fire that burned down the Howard Johnson's
motel on the 31-W Bypass. We were reminded of this story by Karen Foley, a City of
Bowling Green employee in Neighborhood & Community Services, who was working
the Bowling Green police dispatch on that tragic night, January 6, 1996.

The Howard Johnson's motel was once the Holiday Inn, home of the Holidome and
Kona Kai Disco Lounge in the 1960s and 70s. We've shared the history of Holiday
Inns in Bowling Green and some of the Holidome story. The Holiday Inn sold to new
ownership by the 190s, was adopted by the Howard Johnson's brand flag, and fell
into a state of disrepair.

The Bowling Green Daily News, Associated Press, Washington Post, and countless
other news outlets reported that the property was a safety hazard, without a
functioning sprinkler system, fire extinguishers, and mattresses piled up outside the
hotel.

On the extremely cold, snowy night of January 6, 1996, just after 1 o'clock a.m.,
Karen Foley took the first emergency call from someone calling for help at the hotel.
The Holidome was known for its beautiful atrium, with guest rooms facing it.
Investigations showed the fire originated in the atrium, and spread very quickly. In
the days before everyone had cell phones and the hotel required an extra deposit fee
to dial out, there were guests inside with no way to communicate to the outside
world.

There were 75 guests that night at the hotel, and four did not survive the blaze.
Investigations proved arson was the cause of the fire, and that hotel ownership
intended to use the $4-5 million of insurance payout to renovate the hotel. An
owner, Suresh Kumar, and employee, Joe Logan, were caught and are still serving
life in prison for starting the fire and the deaths.

A third person, a co-owner, Devinder "Dave" Sharma, fled the country. Officials gave
up their search for him in 2013. He is assumed to be in India, but would be able to
return to the United States without any problems because he isn't charged with
anything.

What a tragic night for Bowling Green. The community still mourns the loss of those
four lives. If anyone knows the whereabouts of Dave Sharma, please contact the
Bowling Green police.

That's it this week, brought to you by Hart County Tourism and the Kentucky
Museum.

Throwback Thursday: Remembering the Howard Johnson's tragedy - wnky.com