7 hospitalized after fire at Nanaimo motel

Value Lodge in Nanaimo is seen in this picture from the motel's website.

Several people were hospitalized after a fire broke out at a motel in Nanaimo in the early hours of Friday morning.

Heavy smoke and flames were coming out of Value Lodge at 736 Nicol Street when firefighters arrived around 3 a.m., and there were people trapped inside the building, Nanaimo Fire Rescue Asst. Chief Troy Libbus told CTV News.

“The captain took command of the scene and tasked their firefighters to get a hydrant and establish a water supply and start knocking down the fire in conjunction with doing rescue at the same time,” he said.

“Battling heat and smoke, Nanaimo Fire Rescue managed to rescue eight people.”

Paramedics took seven people to hospital for smoke inhalation, according to B.C. Emergency Health Services. As of Friday afternoon, the Nanaimo RCMP said two people remained in hospital with minor injuries.

Approximately 30 to 40 people were staying in the motel at the time, a mix of long-term residents and holiday visitors, Libbus said. Emergency support services were activated to help those who were displaced.

“The weather was cold, the situation was quite difficult, and we managed it with all the resources,” Libbus said.

In a statement, Value Lodge said the motel will be closed indefinitely.

“Our thoughts and deepest concerns are first and foremost with our guests who were staying with us at the time. We are devastated that you have been displaced, and we are working closely with local authorities and relief organizations to ensure everyone’s safety and support,” the statement reads.

“We want to thank the first responders for their incredible bravery and our community for the outpouring of support during this difficult time. We will provide updates on our status as soon as we are able.”

Libbus said the motel has been boarded up and the fire investigation will take place early in the week.