Kildeer motel ordered to make electrical improvements

Concerns about electrical wiring have prompted the village of Kildeer to issue an order prohibiting guests from living in some rooms at a Route 12 motel until improvements are made.

Village Administrator Michael Talbett said the order to the Rand Motel was approved Wednesday after an investigation of the property by a Lake Zurich Fire Department inspector. The directive applies to 12 rooms, or about half of the motel located north of Lake-Cook Road and Route 12, also called Rand Road.

Talbett said the inspection revealed possible problems with the wiring providing electricity to the dozen rooms. The order requires that an electrician make corrections within 30 days.

Rand Motel co-owner Rong Huang said he's already contacted an electrician to work on the affected rooms and intends to comply with Kildeer's order.

"They need to get the permit to do it," Huang said Thursday.

Scrutiny of the Rand Motel began after a fire erupted in a set of garages early Sunday. No injuries were reported, but residents in four motel rooms were shifted elsewhere on the property after gas and electrical service had to be disconnected.

Officials said the fire's cause will be classified as undetermined. However, Talbett said, there were indicators the blaze may have been related to electrical service that was drawn from a house on the property to the destroyed garages, which were not attached to any motel rooms.

Signs have been posted by the village of Kildeer on the dozen rooms that fall under the order. The placards state, in part: "Danger. This structure is declared unsafe for human occupancy or use. It is unlawful for any person to use or occupy this building."

Charred remains from the garages were being removed Thursday. Talbett said Kildeer gave the motel 30 days to get rid of the debris.

Rand Motel touts rooms at weekly rates on its sign. Kildeer Interim Police Chief Robert Zujewski said the clientele tends to be transients working in the area for a week or two at a time, and that his department handles few calls to the facility.

Provided the electrical work is completed, Talbett said, officials likely would perform an inspection of the 12 rooms to make sure it is satisfactory.