State police: Iconic Borscht Belt hotels devastated by fires have history of trespassers and ‘ghost hunters’

State police have released new information on the investigations into four separate fires at abandoned, iconic hotels in the Catskills after a devastating blaze last week at the Nevele Grand Hotel in the Town of Wawarsing.

Blaise Gomez

Mar 25, 2024, 4:28 PM

Updated 51 days ago

Share:

State police have released new information on the investigations into four separate fires at abandoned, iconic hotels in the Catskills after a devastating blaze last week at the Nevele Grand Hotel in the Town of Wawarsing.
The fire at the hotel’s “Winter Building” follows three other blazes at Borcht Belt hotels in less than two years – including at the Pines Resort Hotel in Fallsburg last June, the Homowack Lodge in Wurtsboro in July and Grossinger’s Resort Hotel in Liberty in Aug. 2022.
Authorities say several of the abandoned hotels have a documented history of trespassers and “ghost hunters” – and that the Homowack Lodge property, which officials say is not secured or cared for, has a history of reported campfires and signs of small fires.
No criminality was found to be involved in the blaze at the Pines Hotel, according to state police. Officials say the cases involving the Homowack Lodge and Grossinger’s Hotel were closed because of a lack of leads.
News 12 was on the Nevele grounds on Wednesday following the fire when a fence was being installed at the property entrance to prevent trespassing. The incident remains under investigation, according to police.


More from News 12
1:48
Erratic school bus driver in Monsey identified, traced to private school

Erratic school bus driver in Monsey identified, traced to private school

2:00
Nearby coastal storm sending round of moisture toward the Hudson Valley

Nearby coastal storm sending round of moisture toward the Hudson Valley

1:23
DA spokesperson: SUNY Purchase protesters arrested at pro-Palestinian encampment may avoid prosecution

DA spokesperson: SUNY Purchase protesters arrested at pro-Palestinian encampment may avoid prosecution

1:45
Hudson Valley advocates in Washington, DC lobbying for traffic safety project funding

Hudson Valley advocates in Washington, DC lobbying for traffic safety project funding

1:49
Biden administration seeks to reclassify marijuana from Schedule 1 to Schedule III.  What this means and its impacts on businesses

Biden administration seeks to reclassify marijuana from Schedule 1 to Schedule III. What this means and its impacts on businesses

0:53
Exclusive footage reveals moments before Yonkers school bus crash

Exclusive footage reveals moments before Yonkers school bus crash

0:25
Search underway for missing Westchester County teenagers

Search underway for missing Westchester County teenagers

1:28
Caught on camera: Family's dog fends off bear in Sullivan County

Caught on camera: Family's dog fends off bear in Sullivan County

0:32
Westchester County offering free mosquito dunks ahead of peak mosquito season

Westchester County offering free mosquito dunks ahead of peak mosquito season

0:37
Police arrest masked man seen on nighttime Ring video at Port Jervis family’s doorstep

Police arrest masked man seen on nighttime Ring video at Port Jervis family’s doorstep

0:40
4-day weekend! Some school districts extend Memorial Day weekend

4-day weekend! Some school districts extend Memorial Day weekend

Giants making 'Hard Knocks' debut in a new series focusing on the offseason

Giants making 'Hard Knocks' debut in a new series focusing on the offseason

0:33
Authorities: Goshen parolee arrested after weapons found in home

Authorities: Goshen parolee arrested after weapons found in home

SUNY New Paltz graduation ceremonies split, held indoors 2 weeks after dozens of pro-Palestinian protester arrests on campus

SUNY New Paltz graduation ceremonies split, held indoors 2 weeks after dozens of pro-Palestinian protester arrests on campus

1:41
Croton to flip commuter lot into new housing

Croton to flip commuter lot into new housing

0:54
FAA faces shortage of air traffic controllers, including in Hudson Valley

FAA faces shortage of air traffic controllers, including in Hudson Valley

0:39
Get ready for fun at Rye Playland's grand opening weekend!

Get ready for fun at Rye Playland's grand opening weekend!

0:24
Victim identified in fatal accident in town of Wallkill

Victim identified in fatal accident in town of Wallkill

1:05
Headlines: Drug dealer sentenced, woman attacked in Yonkers, Ramapo domestic incident

Headlines: Drug dealer sentenced, woman attacked in Yonkers, Ramapo domestic incident

3:18
Guide: The importance of good sleep and how to get it

Guide: The importance of good sleep and how to get it