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 The four-story
Valencia Street Hotel, on Valencia between 18th and 19th street, collapsed
with the earthquake as a result of liquefaction. The liquefaction also
broke two major water mains along Valencia Street, and this was responsible
for the loss of water to hydrants in the Downtown area.
Up to 200 people were trapped in the building as the first three floors
collapsed and sank. Many of those trapped victims drowned as a result of
the broken mains.
Rescuers worked for two days to remove victims from the rubble. They
tore much of the hotel apart during rescue operations, but were ultimately
driven away by the fire, and any victims left were incinerated.
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