Petersburg motel severely damaged by fire, 29 families relocated to other hotels

PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) — Several units of a Petersburg motel have been severely damaged by a Tuesday afternoon fire.

Around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, crews with Petersburg Fire & EMS and officers with the Petersburg Bureau of Police responded to a reported fire at the American Inn, located at 2209 County Drive.

According to authorities, firefighters were on the scene within five minutes of receiving the call.

Upon their arrival, crews saw heavy fire coming from rooms of the motel’s second floor.

“Over 25 firefighters from Petersburg and Colonial Heights worked the fire, entered each room, and successfully helped all residents exit,” a spokesperson with the City of Petersburg said. “One Petersburg firefighter received minor burns and was treated on the scene. No residents were injured.”

The fire was brought under control within 25 minutes, according to authorities.

“Approximately 29 families are being relocated to other hotels in the area,” the Petersburg spokesperson said. “The building has been closed by the Fire Marshal.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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