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The Washington State Department of Health suspended Holiday Motel’s license earlier this month, saying it poses an immediate safety hazard to guests.

Investigators found numerous electrical and gas line problems throughout the Anacortes facility, widespread fire and safety violations and many maintenance and sanitation problems. The motel is located at 2903 Commercial Ave.

Guests were vacated June 8. The motel cannot house guests until a hearing is held. The motel owner has 10 days to request a prompt hearing and 28 days to contest these charges.

Messages left at the business were not returned.

Motel room conditions include unsafe electrical wiring; non-working smoke detectors; unsanitary floors, walls and fixtures; and other unsanitary conditions. A “live” gas pipe was present in one room — so that if the valve was turned, gas would be released into the unit. This presents a serious fire, explosion and asphyxiation risk for motel guests, according to the Department of Health.

See pictures of the motel rooms at http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2008_news/docs/HolidayMotel.htm.

According to Skagit County records, Wen Yu Chang and Teresa Chang bought the building in October 1999 for $250,000. Its current assessed value is $416,200.

It was built in 1955.

Motels offering three or more units to guests for less than 30 days must be licensed by the state’s Facilities and Services Licensing Program. The program licenses about 1,700 facilities in the state and enforces health and safety standards.