Victoria Fire battled a large blaze that broke out at the Capital City Center Hotel in downtown Victoria late Thursday night.
Victoria Fire says they were called just before 10 p.m. for a fire in the 1900-block of Douglas Street, between Discovery Street and Caledonia Avenue.
Few details have been released, but Victoria Fire says the flames are out.
Flames and smoke could be seen coming from the building, and officials say the fire was contained to the first floor.
In a report released in the early hours of Friday morning, the Victoria Fire Department says the flames were mostly contained to one suite, however, there was substantial smoke damage to the third and fourth floors of the building.
Four people had to be rescued from the fourth floor during the incident.
It has also been reported from Vic Fire that six people were injured as a result of the blaze and taken to hospital.
At this time, authorities are pointing to arson as the probable cause of the fire as an investigation continues.
Everyone inside was evacuated from the building and B.C. Transit buses were brought to the scene for shelter to those forced from the hotel. It is not known if they’ll be allowed to return.
87 people residing in the building have been displaced. Authorities say that 50 people have already been found places to stay by the Red Cross and Our Place and is still being worked out for the remainder.
A person who was evacuated told CHEK he was in one of the rooms and was asked by police to leave the building, as they were in the process of looking for someone.
The witness says the fire then broke out about 40 minutes later.
Another witness said police were calling for someone to come out of the building for about half an hour before the fire started.
Victoria Police have not confirmed that information.
Videos sent to CHEK News show firefighters working on the structure throughout the night, even once the flames were put out.
B.C. ambulance was on the scene and there is no word at this point of injuries.
This is a developing story, more information as it becomes available.
CHEK News
