The rehabilitated of the Casa Lola hotel in Casco Viejo is a “risk to life” according to the Panama Fire Department.

Juan Pablo Iglesias director of legal advice to the Department told La Prensa that since they do not have an occupancy permit, the firefighters have not inspected the infrastructure or the gas lines or the sprinklers or fire alarms.

On June 26, 2018, the firefighters imposed a $10,000 fine on Casa Lola and ordered the suspension of work, because "it does not comply with the minimum security measures".

La Prensa reports that the sanction resolution highlights that the place is promoted as " a luxury boutique hotel and restaurant set in a historic complex".

 However, it lacks the respective permits  but despite this, “is in operational mode  warns the report, "

On May 25, 2018, a report from the Fire Safety, Prevention, and Research Office warned that two restaurants and a bar operate on the spot, the latter on the roof, despite the fact that they do not have the permits required by law.

The report adds that the stairs of the property do not have handrails or anti-slip tape; that there are no fire extinguishers or signaling or fire detection systems; and that the sprinklers are painted, among other breaches to the security system.

"We only make the fine and people often do not pay. We have a debt that exceeds $1 million because we have no coercive power, " said Iglesias.

Between 2015 and 2018, Casa Lola has been sanctioned for amounts exceeding $160,000 for work not approved says the Fire  Department. "

The Director of Works and Constructions of the Panama Mayor's Office, Antonio Docabo, confirmed that since March 19, 2018, the Casa Lola hotel "is in contempt for breach of the order of immediate suspension" of the construction and rehabilitation works.