Fire Destroys Haiti's Grand Hôtel Oloffson Cultural Icon

The Grand Hôtel Oloffson in Haiti burned down recently. It was a famous hotel with a special style. Many people, like Mick Jagger, visited the hotel in the past.

The hotel was in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital city. Gang violence had closed the hotel before the fire. People were sad about the fire and shared the news online.

Riva Précil lived at the hotel as a child. She learned many things there, like dancing and singing. Richard Morse managed the hotel for many years. He learned about the fire from drone pictures.

James Jean-Louis saw the fire from his home. He saw police and gangs fighting during the fire. Journalists cannot visit the hotel now. Gangs control the area and it is not safe.

The hotel was important to Haiti's history and culture. It was a place where people felt connected to Haiti. Richard Morse wants to bring Haiti and the hotel back. He wants to bring back the art and culture too.