Fire forces residents from downtown Victoria hotel

Four people are hurt and several others, including police officers, had to be treated for smoke inhalation after a fire at a Victoria hotel being used as temporary housing for the homeless.

Four additional people went to hospital w non-life-threatening injuries. Officers & others were treated on scene for non-life-threatening injuries for smoke inhalation. Arson is suspect. The investigation remains ongoing. (5/5)

— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) November 6, 2020

Victoria police say a man called officers to a suite in the Capital CityCenter Hotel Thursday night, saying he was armed and capable of harming himself.

The man barricaded the suite door as officers spoke to him but when they saw smoke and flames inside they broke through the barricade before being driven back by the fire.

Assistant battalion fire Chief Ross Isherwood says the suite in the 94-unit hotel is gutted and smoke has damaged the rest of the building, but all tenants escaped.

The statement from Victoria police says officers lost track of the man who initially called but found him during the evacuation and took him into custody for treatment under the Mental Health Act.

Officers made entry, but were pushed back by smoke & flame. @VictoriaFire730 attended & fought the fire. Officers evacuated building residents & located the man outside of his suite. He was apprehended under the Mental Health Act. (4/5)

— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) November 6, 2020

The fire is considered suspicious but police say all those who were taken to hospital are expected to recover, and displaced residents are being helped by the Red Cross and an organization that assists Victoria's inner-city community.

Photo courtesy of Victoria Police (Twitter)