City 1-27-21
Following the structure fire at the vacant Hitching Post Inn (1600 W. Lincolnway) on January 15, Cheyenne Fire Rescue (CFR) and the City’s Compliance Division have issued separate public notices deeming the property unsafe and an order for demolition by the owner or the owner’s authorized agent.
Both reports encompass all the remaining structures on site: Buildings 1 and 2 (south buildings), Buildings 3 and 4 (middle section of buildings located on premise), and Building 5 (north building).
Pursuant to the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), as adopted by the City of Cheyenne as its Dangerous Building Code, and in the Cheyenne City Code § 15.24.010, it has been determined that each existing structure on site is unsafe and in violation of Section 108.1.1 of the IPMC. Due to the recent fire, all structures have been found to be so out of repair as to be dangerous, unsafe, insanitary, otherwise unfit for human habitation or occupancy, and is unreasonable to repair the structure.
Pursuant to 110.1 of the IPMC, Buildings 1-4 have been ordered for demolition by the owner, or the owner’s authorized agent, within 180 days of the notice filed on Wednesday, January 20. Building 5 has been ordered for demolition within 200 days of the notice filed on Wednesday, January 20. Any appeal must be in writing and filed within 20 days after the date of service on report.
Referencing The International Fire Code as adopted by the City of Cheyenne, the CFR report states each building was found in an unsafe condition after inspections following the January 15 fire. Per section 311.5 of The International Fire Code, structural or interior hazards exist to a degree that consideration should be given to limit fire fighting to exterior operations only, with entry only occurring for known life hazards. The CFR report details holes and damage throughout each level and room in all structures due to the recent fire. The report references repairs yet to be completed for water leaks following an inspection on October 26, 2016 in addition to a lack of proper security to prevent unauthorized entry stemming from a notice and order dated September 10, 2017.
CFR was on site of the Hitching Post fire at 12:52 a.m. on January 15th and remained on site until the fire was extinguished at approximately 6:00 p.m. the same day.
