The Port Charles Hotel on fire (2004)
In February 2004, in the basement of the Port Charles Hotel a fire broke out, caused by defective wiring and worsened by Edward Quartermaine's cost-cutting measures. This occurred during the auction of a lost Quartermaine treasure from the sunken ship, The Courage, which was owned by the Cassadines.
Storyline[]
Tracy Quartermaine greets the guests (2004)
The security technician at the Port Charles Hotel alerted Edward that the new security system, installed specifically for the pirate treasure auction, risked overloading the electrical grid. This could potentially cause a fire if a hair dryer was used. Edward, however, told the technician that the electrical system couldn't be addressed for at least another 24 hours. He assured that post this period, the Quartermaine family would have sufficient funds to modernize the hotel's electrical infrastructure with cutting-edge technology.
In the meantime, Maxie Jones was hiding Zander Smith in the hotel's basement. As they shared Maxie's takeout, Zander revealed his plan to flee to Canada once he could leave town undetected. Panic ensued when Cameron Lewis and Alexis Davis arrived unexpectedly. With a gun pointed at Maxie, Zander threatened to shoot her if Cameron and Alexis attempted to hand him over to the police. Eventually, Zander handed the gun to Cameron and released Maxie. Alexis urged them to head to the police station, but Zander refused to accompany them, and Maxie admitted the gun-play was a ruse to enlist their aid, with no real intent to harm her. Alexis cautioned Maxie about the legal risks of aiding Zander. They were allowed to remain for the moment, but Alexis vowed to return after persuading Ric Lansing to withdraw from the case. Meanwhile, Cassandra Kanelos, the Port Charles Hotel's chief electrician, informed Assistant District Attorney Ric Lansing of the perilous overload caused by the new security system, prompting Ric to agree to investigate.
A rescue helicopter is sent to the roof of the hotel (2004)
The Quartermaines convened in the hotel to auction off the treasure, with the proceeds to be divided equally between the Quartermaines and the Cassadines. However, various individuals conspired to seize the treasure for themselves. Both Nikolas Cassadine and Emily Quartermaine anticipated that Tracy Quartermaine and Helena Cassadine would attempt to claim the treasure. In a twist, Luke Spencer, collaborating with Sam McCall, succeeded in stealing the treasure while Sam was upstairs, intending to keep it for himself. Upon discovering this, Sam used a Taser on Luke's neck, incapacitating him, and took the treasure.
Descending to the basement through the stairwell, Nikolas entered the electrical room and was confronted by Zander, who brandished a metal pipe. Zander menaced Nikolas, vowing to abscond with Emily and leave the country once Nikolas was dealt with. Zander's initial strike hit Nikolas in the abdomen, but Nikolas evaded the subsequent swing and retaliated with a head kick that knocked Zander out. After ensuring Zander was still breathing, Nikolas secured the room from the outside to thwart any escape attempt and alerted the authorities to Zander's whereabouts. In a twist of fate, a fuse in an electrical unit short-circuited, sparking a blaze that rapidly spread around Zander's unconscious body.
Georgie Jones arrived at the Port Charles Hotel accompanied by her "boyfriend" Tom, who was uncooperative until she reminded him of their arrangement. He then gave her his Civil War term paper to complete as part of their deal. Overhearing Sage Alcazar and Dillon Quartermaine nearby, Georgie was upset to learn they had booked a suite. Dillon, spotting Georgie and Tom, was displeased to see they had also reserved a room. The front desk clerk informed them that their rooms were unavailable due to remodeling and an ongoing auction. Sage nonchalantly requested any available room, exchanging a meaningful look with Georgie, who responded with a glare. Both couples were dissatisfied to discover their rooms were adjacent and insisted on locking the connecting doors. Their discontent was short-lived as Georgie, opening her door, noticed smoke in the hallway. She quickly alerted Sage and Dillon to the fire and urged them to evacuate.
Nikolas unconscious in the fire (2004)
As the fire engulfed the basement, Zander remained unconscious on the floor. Nikolas alerted the police, instructing them to rush to the hotel where they would find Zander confined in the utility room. When Emily inquired about Zander's whereabouts, Nikolas withheld the truth, merely stating he had been in the lobby. Meanwhile, Ric, having been informed by Det. Lucky Spencer of the treasure's theft at the auction, announced his intention to interrogate everyone promptly, noting that some might need to visit the police station to complete a report. Concurrently, Edward received a notification from the hotel manager about the blaze, prompting an immediate evacuation.
After Nikolas' call, Cmmr. Mac Scorpio and an officer reached the hotel. They asked the front desk clerk for the utility room's location, suspecting the fugitive Zander Smith was locked inside. Approaching the door, Mac and the officer drew their guns and Mac called out to Zander, urging his cooperation. With no answer, Mac signaled the officer to open the door carefully, weapons ready. He cautioned that Zander might react violently if provoked. As the door opened, a back-draft from a basement fire blasted them back. The fire department soon arrived. Amidst the turmoil, Maxie saw paramedics rushing a severely injured person to an ambulance. Believing it was Zander, she was shocked to discover her father, Mac, was the victim. She begged the paramedics to reassure Mac of her safety if he woke up. Maxie then learned from a firefighter that the fire likely began in the basement and was told that anyone trapped would have slim chances of survival, which devastated her. Meanwhile, Cameron urged Alexis to hurry assistance for Zander, worried about his son's safety.
Skye and Luke trapped behind the blaze (2004)
In the midst of turmoil, the Cassadines and Quartermaines hurled accusations of treasure theft at each other. Meanwhile, Luke, regaining consciousness from Sam's strike, coughed and found sharp objects to pick the lock in the storage room where he was trapped. Successfully opening the door, he stumbled out in search of a hiding place. Skye Chandler-Quartermaine found him and offered help to the stairs. Reluctant at first, Luke eventually accepted her help. Nearing the stairs, he collapsed from smoke inhalation. Skye's pleas for help were ignored by Faith Rosco, who coldly refused to assist. Nevertheless, Skye and Faith managed to drag Luke to safety. Once safe, Skye performed CPR on Luke, who revived and insisted they flee the hotel. Skye resisted leaving, but Luke's determination convinced her. They found a clear stairwell and noticed Sam's laundry cart with the treasure. Luke, with Skye's assistance, decided to retrieve it and they descended the stairwell, meeting Cameron who was resolute despite the risks.
Sam was trapped in an elevator due to recurring fires and power outages. By crossing the elevator's wires, she managed to get it moving, but it refused to descend as she intended. With the treasure in a large laundry cart, she reached a floor despite the smoke billowing out. She then hauled the cart out. Subsequently, a mysterious man discovered her, checked her pulse, and carried her off. This man was revealed to be Jasper Jacks, who brought her to his penthouse and placed her on the sofa.
The fire rages on (2004)
Later, the Quartermaines learned that the fire was rapidly spreading through all the floors and into the stairwells. Nikolas realized the fire likely started in the basement, which made him feel guilty about locking Zander there. After confessing to Emily, he feared he had inadvertently endangered Zander. Monica Quartermaine and Emily convinced Alan Quartermaine to use the still-operational freight elevator to descend and ensure everyone received medical aid.
After Ric and Lorenzo Alcazar discussed the auction, Lorenzo showed interest in the treasure as an investment. Meanwhile, Carly Corinthos and Alexis, trapped together in an elevator, were shaken by a sudden stop and flickering lights. They tried to connect over motherhood, but the conversation turned tense when Alexis confessed that Carly's husband Sonny Corinthos, is her daughter Kristina Ashton's true father. Frustrated, Carly decided to pry the doors open with Alexis's reluctant help. Once out, Alexis immediately regretted her admission about Kristina. Carly comforted her, but danger loomed. As they walked away, an explosion knocked Carly out, leaving Alexis alone. Alexis managed to alert the police to Carly's whereabouts. Back at the auction, Sonny, worried, asked Carly's cousin Lucky to find Carly. Without proof of her safety, Sonny and Lucky headed to the security room, and Sonny moved towards a broken camera, hoping to locate Carly.
Elsewhere in the hotel, Jason Morgan was plotting to kill Officer Brian Beck and trailed him down a hallway. As they came face-to-face, Jason had a clear shot. Brian questioned whether Jason would shoot him. Just then, Jason aimed his gun, but stopped as a young girl emerged from a room, seeking help with her little brother. Jason holstered his gun. Brian introduced himself as a police officer, showing his badge to the children. The girl explained that their parents were at an upstairs auction and had instructed her to call them if any issues arose, but their room's phone was out of order, and smoke was filling their room and the hallway. Realizing the urgency, Jason and Brian decided to cooperate to lead the children to safety. Jason insisted on a quick evacuation from the hotel. Brian led the children down towards the lobby, but Jason objected, suggesting the rooftop for a potential helicopter rescue. Climbing the stairs, they noticed the smoke thickening, and Jason doubted the safety of ascending further. Despite Brian's disagreement, Jason emphasized the need to evacuate the children swiftly as the fire intensified.
While caring for Morgan Corinthos and watching TV, Courtney Matthews learned of the hotel fire. She left the children with Leticia and headed to the hotel, despite warnings to avoid downtown. Driven by concern for Sonny, Carly, and her husband, Courtney arrived to learn from Alan that Jason and Brian might be trapped inside. She clashed with firefighters, desperate to locate her husband. Meanwhile, Alcazar vowed to protect Carly and her children from Sonny, even if it meant widowing her. A fight ensued, and a back-draft knocked both men unconscious. Upon waking, Sonny was upright, Alcazar trapped. Sonny freed Alcazar with an axe. After another blast, Alcazar, now free, hesitated but ultimately saved Sonny. They then split up to escape.
Courtney dashed up the hotel stairs, determined to find Jason. Despite a fireman's pleas to evacuate, she eludes him and continues her search. Along the way, she stops to assist Louise, an elderly woman, and her dog Skippy descending the stairs. Concurrently, Jason and Brian, trapped in another stairwell with two children, calmly strategize an escape. Finding a cool door, they lead the children to safety in a room with water and air. Learning of a boy aiding firefighters, Jason sets out to find him. Courtney, aiding Louise and her dog, ties the dog to the railing when Louise can no longer proceed, planning to return for it. Once outside, Louise gratefully deems Courtney an angel. Courtney vows to rescue the dog and requests Louise convey her love to Jason should she encounter him.
Meanwhile, Jason rescues the boy and leads the children to safety on the roof. Learning that Courtney is still trapped inside from a police report, Jason and Brian rush to find her. They discover Courtney in a smoke-filled room, following a dog's barks, where she immediately embraces Jason, ignoring Brian. Jason proposes heading to the roof, expecting a helicopter rescue for those trapped. But an explosion rocks the building, separating Jason from Brian and Courtney with debris. Jason orders them to proceed without him, vowing to find another way out. Courtney, though hesitant, follows Brian's lead. She grows distressed when Brian suggests they are closer to the lobby than the roof, advising her to go down, contrary to Jason's instructions. As they argue, Sonny confronts them with a gun, and Brian accuses him of conspiring against Jason. Sonny, wanting honesty from his sister Courtney, dismisses Brian. In the meantime, Jason locates Carly in the fire and rescues her. Amidst the chaos, Skippy the puppy escapes the blaze and reunites with Louise. Later, as Brian navigates the fire, he is shot by Det. Andy Capelli, disguised, leaving Brian to perish in the flames.
In the auction room, as chaos ensues, people's concerns grow about their rescue. Lucky announces that propane tanks have exploded on the lower floor, leaving the roof as their only escape. The crowd rushes to the balcony, signaling to a helicopter, which veers off. Panic rises as Lucky explains that the winds are too strong for a helicopter landing. Nikolas and Emily, pondering Helena's suggestion, head to the stairwell to seek an alternative escape route. Despite Nikolas' urging, Lucky stays behind to assist those awaiting rescue. Tragedy strikes when the ceiling collapses as Emily crosses the room, post-embrace with Monica. Nikolas' attempt to save her results in both being struck. While Nikolas is unscathed, Emily suffers a severe leg wound. Monica quickly applies a tourniquet, stressing the urgency of stitches to prevent Emily from bleeding out. As Emily lies resting and Monica attends to others, Helena seizes the chance to sabotage Emily's bandage, aiming to end her life and release Nikolas.
Sam, having been rescued, wakes up in Jax's penthouse and recalls the hotel is ablaze. She hurries to get ready for their escape, but Jax convinces her that waiting for rescue is safer. Grateful, she thanks him for his aid and they make love. Post-intimacy, Jax ponders if arguing less could have expedited their escape. Suddenly, Sonny appears, demanding entry. Sam quickly conceals herself. Sonny tells Jax he's searching for Carly on the Twelfth Floor. Jax proposes to join, but Sonny departs hastily, mentioning a cleared stairwell for Jax's escape. Later, Sam criticizes Jax for letting Sonny face the fire alone. Using climbing gear, Jax descends to a lower floor, followed by Sam scaling down the hotel's unburnt side. Eventually, they safely exit the building.
While Skye and Luke are moving Sam's forsaken treasure downstairs, they run into Cameron going up. Luke tries to convince Cameron he's mistaken, but Cameron ignores him. Cameron tells Luke about Zander's demise, and Lucky, noticing them on the surveillance cameras, decides to help Luke escape the fire. Cameron continues upstairs, leading Luke to follow and ask Skye to guard the treasure. A disguised thief in firefighter gear then ambushes Skye and takes the treasure. Meanwhile, Luke catches up to Cameron, again urging him to leave the burning building. As they talk, Lucky arrives, and the floor above gives way. Cameron saves Lucky but becomes trapped himself. He urges them to leave, expressing his regrets and asking Luke to look after Lucky and Lulu Spencer. Luke confirms Cameron's death to Lucky, who credits Cameron with saving his life. They rush to escape; Luke suggests Lucky retrieve Cameron's body while he checks on Skye. Finding Skye unconscious and the treasure gone, Luke returns to the stairwell. Outside, Ric is evacuating the Versailles Room when Capelli informs him the body in the basement isn't Zander's. Alexis arrives, devastated by Cameron's death, as Lucky reenters the building.
On the Versailles Room balcony, Monica and Nikolas await a medical kit drop to treat Emily's wound. In their absence, Helena removes Emily's tourniquet, causing her to bleed. Meanwhile, Cassandra Kanelos collapses and dies, pointing at Edward, who later admits she had warned him about the hotel's faulty wiring. Tracy urges her father Edward to keep quiet, but Edward's grandson Justus Ward advises against it. When Monica returns, she's shocked to find Emily bleeding again and quickly acts to save her. As the Quartermaines discuss their liability for the fire, Helena eavesdrops. Edward, by Emily's side, seeks redemption for his part in the disaster. Lorenzo leads Sage, Dillon, Georgie, and Travis to safety, while Faith reveals to Lorenzo that Carly is missing and Sonny is looking for her. Monica hints to Nikolas that Emily's bandage removal seems intentional, making Nikolas suspect Helena. Before he can act, Emily wakes up, declaring her love for Nikolas. Helena then blackmails Tracy and Edward, threatening to reveal their negligence unless the treasure is handed over to her once recovered.
In the stairwell, Luke rushes to find Skye, who is unconscious on the floor. After he wakes her, she inquires about the treasure, but he reassures her that her safety is what matters. Skye insists they must recover the treasure stolen from her by an assailant, as it's her ticket back into the Quartermaines' good graces. Luke, however, claims the treasure for himself and convinces her to leave with him. Meanwhile, Jason stumbles upon Brian, shot and unconscious, and quickly hides when he hears footsteps. Luke and Skye also discover Brian and, recognizing he's alive, Luke decides to help him, despite Skye's reminder of Brian's police status. Luke reflects on his son Lucky, also a cop, and his hope for kindness in similar circumstances. Later, they use fire extinguishers to navigate through flames, while Jason uses a discarded shooter's jacket to protect himself from the smoke.
As the fire weakens the ceiling, Jason and Carly discuss their escape from the hotel. Jason dismisses Carly's idea to open a window, explaining it would worsen the fire. In panic, Carly resists Jason's pleas for calm. They leave the room and reach the stairwell, encountering a silent figure in firefighter gear, hiding a bag of jewels. Jason convinces the figure to help Carly upstairs. With reluctance, Carly accepts and is given Jason's leather jacket for protection. Struggling for air as they climb, Carly is offered an oxygen mask by the firefighter. She joins the others near the roof, and Jason and Sonny follow shortly after.
Luke and Skye also reach the upstairs with an injured Brian. Ric ascends to the roof by helicopter to aid in the rescue. He's puzzled about how Capelli got upstairs so fast without being in the helicopter. Capelli explains he took the stairwells. Jason, Carly, and Sonny make their way upstairs to regroup. Ric questions Brian about his shooter's identity. Brian, noticing Jason's jacket matches that of his assailant, points to Jason, accusing him of the shooting. Nikolas challenges Helena for tampering with the tourniquet on Emily's leg, intending to kill her. Helena refutes the accusation. Nikolas cautions her that if he discovers she tried to harm Emily, she'll regret surviving the fire. Concurrently, outside of the hotel an individual in a firefighter suit bypasses the rescue team, carrying a sack likely filled with treasure, ignoring calls from others. The man in the suit then lifts his mask to wipe away sweat, revealing himself as Scott Baldwin.
Luke is appalled to see the crowd pushing and shoving to reach the rooftop for the helicopter. Drawing a gun, he demands attention, declaring that all lives are equally important and insisting on a numbered draw to determine boarding order. Ric concurs, preparing numbered papers. Nikolas offers his number to Emily, who's injured, but she declines, claiming recovery. Relief comes as their numbers align, allowing them to board together. Luke proposes his earlier number to Skye, who, while declining, appreciates the offer. Edward, owning the hotel and blaming himself for the fire, feels he shouldn't board first. Justus reminds him to abide by the agreed system and not act the martyr. Upon reaching the ground, Lucky tries to arrest Edward for his role in the fire's origin, but Edward suffers a heart attack and is urgently taken to General Hospital.
Capelli accuses Jason of shooting Brian, who is prioritized for helicopter evacuation due to his gunshot injuries. Jason remains silent towards both him and Ric. Justus informs Ric that without witnesses, and given Brian's known prejudice against Jason, there's no probable cause for an arrest. Initially hesitant, Ric, provoked by his brother Sonny's outburst, spitefully orders Jason's arrest. Capelli informs Jason he won't be allowed on the helicopter, suggesting he wait for the last one. He proposes escorting Jason downstairs in handcuffs. Initially, Ric objects, but as Sonny's anger escalates, he accuses Ric of plotting murder by risking Jason's life in such a manner. Ric, accused of outsourcing his dirty work, eventually permits Capelli to lead Jason downstairs. Jason entrusts Courtney with his number, urging her to board the next helicopter. Despite her hesitation to leave without him, Courtney embraces, kisses, and professes her love to Jason.
Luke was about to board the helicopter when Skye rushed to him on the hotel rooftop. He thought she had a change of heart and would take his place on the helicopter. Instead, she surprises him with a farewell kiss. Luke responds with equal passion. Later, Skye returns from the helicopter and reunites with Luke. They downplay their kiss, yet both acknowledge their lack of regret. Together, they ponder over the treasure's theft.
Emily tearfully bids Nikolas farewell and gets on the helicopter. As she ascends, she watches in horror as the roof bursts into flames and crumbles around him. Miraculously, Nikolas survives and reaches the stairwell where Jason is handcuffed. Despite Jason's protests, Nikolas refuses to leave him behind and frees him with an axe. The men then notice a leaking gas pipe and flee just as it ignites.
Sonny, Carly, and Lorenzo are left to escape the hotel alone when Sonny and Carly find themselves trapped in a pit. As Carly starts to regain consciousness, Lorenzo arrives and interrupts them. He rescues Carly from the pit, but Sonny insists they leave him behind. Refusing to abandon Sonny, Carly vehemently protests, and together they manage to free Sonny as well. They escape the collapsed area and enter a hallway, where Sonny hot-wires an elevator to descend ahead of the encroaching fire.
Overcome with rage and hysteria, Courtney beats on Ric's chest after realizing he's escaped the fire and Sonny with Carly have not. She berates him and Elizabeth Webber, questioning their satisfaction with the situation. Ric, attempting to defend himself as Sonny's grieving brother, cannot soothe Courtney, and Sonny and Courtney's father Mike Corbin steps in to pull her back. Emily and Monica approach Ric, desperate for updates on Nikolas and Jason. Meanwhile, Courtney breaks away from her father and accuses Capelli, who lies that Jason won't make it out of the hotel. Stunned by Capelli's false story of Jason's violence, Courtney becomes uncontrollable. Her outburst draws Ric, and she aggressively demands answers about Jason's fate. Learning from a fireman that the search for Jason is off, she tries to rush into the building but is stopped by an officer. While Courtney struggles with the police, Sonny, Carly, and Alcazar unexpectedly emerge from the building. She runs to Carly, hugging her and exposing Capelli's deceit about Jason being left handcuffed inside. Sonny confronts Ric, cautioning him of repercussions, but they cling to hope for Jason's survival.
Sonny and Carly share an intimate moment, but it's interrupted when Sam, seeing Sonny, rushes over and embraces him, leaving Carly to seek out Courtney for solace. As Emily arrives, she and Courtney anxiously await news of Nikolas and Jason. Their hopes are dashed by Ric's announcement that the rescue efforts have been halted due to the building's instability. Emily implores Sonny to intervene, and just then, Jason appears from the debris. Courtney rushes to his embrace, and Emily, catching his gaze, realizes Nikolas won't be joining him. Meanwhile, Bobbie Spencer informs her brother Luke of Scott's death, recalling her first love as Luke grapples with the news. In a twist, Scott, disguised as a firefighter, frantically searches the hotel's trash for the treasure he previously concealed.
Courtney rushes to Jason as he steps out of the building and embraces him. They exchange declarations of love, and then Jason approaches Emily. He informs her that Nikolas survived the roof collapse, found him, and saved his life, but in doing so, broke a gas pipe. He shares his recollection of running through a hotel corridor with Nikolas when an explosion happened, trapping them under debris. Jason regained consciousness and managed to escape, but was unable to reach Nikolas. Overwhelmed, Emily cries, unable to accept Nikolas' fate, but later, she is reunited with him at Wyndemere Castle.
Plans for reconstructing the hotel are swiftly initiated, and Jasper Jacks acquires the previous site of the hotel. He then establishes a new hotel, naming it Metro Court Hotel in honor of Courtney, who became his fiancé.
Deaths[]
Trivia[]
- In December 2003, John Ingle was dismissed from General Hospital. The original storyline involved Edward Quartermaine suffering a fatal heart attack during the Hotel Fire plot, leading to his character's exit. However, due to a successful fan campaign, ABC decided to rehire Ingle. By that time, he had already committed to a role on Days of Our Lives, which necessitated the recasting of Edward with Jed Allan.[1]
See also[]
- Cassadine family
- Dead Man's Hand
- Port Charles Hotel
- Quartermaine family
- Jewelry of General Hospital (show)