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Dupont Plaza Hotel Fire Puerto Rico 1986
At approximately 3:30 pm on December 31, 1986, a fire originated in the south ballroom of the Dupont Plaza Hotel and Casino in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The fire rapidly spread through the lobby and casino areas. Ninety eight persons lost their lives.
The initial investigation team was provided by the National Response Team of the U.S. Department of Treasury Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). This team was joined by representatives from NIST (NBS at the time,) the U.S. Fire Administration, the U.S. Fire Academy, and the National Fire Protection Association.
The NIST report, "An Engineering Analysis of the Early Stages of Fire Development--The Fire at the Dupont Plaza Hotel and Casino--December 31, 1986 (NBS IR 87-3560)," presents the methods and results of the analysis of the development of the fire through the first and second floors.