Dozens displaced after fire damages Petersburg hotel

PETERSBURG, Va. (WWBT) - An issued with an air conditioning unit at Petersburg hotel led to a fire on Sunday.

Petersburg Fire Rescue & Emergency Services posted on social media saying crews were called to a reported structure fire at Best Inn at 555 East Wythe Street where they found heavy smoke coming from a second-story window.

Crews were told a fire from an AC unit spread to the roof on one side of the building. They were able to get it under control within 15 minutes.

Two sprinkler heads had to be activated, which led to water damage in 18 rooms. 1 room had fire and smoke damage.

There were no reported injuries. Power had to be shut off to the entire building because of the damage.

Due to the extent of damage, power was shut off to the entire building.

Approximately 45 residents were displaced and taken to a nearby hotel.

The fire marshal determined that the heating and air conditioning unit was the cause of the fire.