Santa Cruz awards local hotel with appreciation award after fire

The Torch Lite Inn in Santa Cruz caught fire early Sunday morning.

People inside had to be evacuated.

One woman who was looking for new shelter after that found it all thanks to the generosity of a next door business.

Tammy Rose says she was looking for a bathroom after evacuating. She got turned away by one hotel, but she says the owners of Surf City Inn across the street not only allowed her to use the restrooms, they gave her extra clothing as well.

The owners also opened up their lobby for people to keep warm in and provided coffee and tea.

The City of Santa Cruz recognized the owners for their kindness with a Certificate of Appreciation.

“They didn’t have to do that, they could have turned us away just like their neighbors did,” said Rose. “But they really stepped up when nobody was looking. So thank you for that.”

“I believe in Karma. I believe in just doing what’s right at the end of the day,” said KP, one of the owners of Surf City Inn. “You don’t need to go above and beyond, you don’t need to run into a burning building or anything. But if you’re able to help a person out.”

Officials say electrical malfunction caused the Torch Lite Inn fire. About 70 people were evacuated safely.