One person unaccounted for after massive fire at former Victoria hotel: VicPD

One person remains unaccounted for following a massive fire that tore through the former Traveller’s Inn building on Queens Avenue over the weekend.

VicPD confirmed Monday that the person is associated with the address, as police and the Victoria Fire Department continue investigating the blaze.

The fire broke out at the building in the 700-block of Queens Avenue at approximately 3:50 a.m. Saturday, October 24th.

All nine registered occupants of 760 Queens Avenue have been accounted for; however, officials had previously received unconfirmed reports that additional people may have been inside the building.

Police have not released further information about the unaccounted-for person or confirmed whether investigators believe they were inside when the fire began.

Firefighters arrived Saturday morning to find rapidly spreading flames throughout the former motel and rental complex.

Victoria Fire Chief Dan Atkinson said crews attempted to clear the building but were forced to withdraw before the entire structure could be searched. Firefighters then switched to a defensive attack to prevent the flames from spreading to neighbouring properties.

Portions of the building collapsed during the fire, and heavy equipment was brought in to assist with a controlled demolition of the damaged structure.

Fire crews remained at the property through Sunday to continue extinguishing the fire and monitor the unstable building.

 

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Residents of 760 Queens Avenue and the neighbouring building at 723 Field Street were evacuated and offered assistance through the City of Victoria’s Emergency Support Services.

The City has not released the total number of residents displaced by the fire.

Crews from the Saanich, Esquimalt and Oak Bay fire departments assisted Victoria firefighters during the response. VicPD, BC Emergency Health Services, FortisBC and BC Hydro also attended.

Victoria Firefighters IAFF Local 730 said additional firefighters were called in to help battle the blaze and staff another fire engine.

Fire departments from Saanich and Esquimalt also supplied ladder trucks that played a critical role in fighting the fire.

The blaze caused significant traffic disruptions around the north end of downtown Victoria, with portions of Blanshard and Douglas streets closed while emergency crews worked. Most roads began reopening Saturday afternoon, although the public was asked to continue avoiding the immediate area.

The Queens Avenue property was formerly part of the Traveller’s Inn motel chain before being converted into rental housing. Although the building has frequently been described as abandoned or vacant, the City confirmed that it still had registered occupants.

The property was also damaged by a major fire in March 2016 that displaced dozens of tenants. Nearly $1.5 million in restoration permits were subsequently issued, although it remains unclear whether all of the planned work was completed.

Sales records later described the property as having formally closed in 2018. The roughly half-acre site, containing nearly 90 suites, was listed for sale for $18 million in 2019.

The cause of Saturday’s fire remains under investigation.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact VicPD through its non-emergency line at (250) 995-7654 and reference file 26-45101.