About 10 residents displaced after fire at former motel in Alberton

About 10 people have been displaced after a fire at the old Travellers Inn and Motel in Alberton, P.E.I., Saturday night.

The former motel, located on Church Street, had been converted to a long-term rental facility.

Residents were safely evacuated and there were no injuries, said Alberton Fire Chief Darrell Graham.

"Red Cross was called and they have made arrangements for all of the residents for temporary housing, clothing and toiletries," he said.

Five fire trucks and about 20 firefighters responded to the call at about 5:45 p.m. They were on scene for about five hours, Graham said.

Fire departments from Tignish, O'Leary and West Point provided assistance, along with Island EMS, RCMP, Maritime Electric and the Department of Highways.

RCMP Cpl. Gavin Moore said police do not believe there was any criminal activity involved with the fire and have turned the investigation over to the provincial fire marshal's office.

Maritime Electric had disconnected the power to the building for the safety of the firefighters, Graham said.

"That building has been renovated multiple times, so there [were]false walls, false ceilings," he said. "And just with the occupancy, our main concern was life safety and to make sure that everyone had been evacuated."

Graham said the most heavily damaged area was a section where there were two storeys. He said it would have to be rebuilt or demolished, but wasn't sure if the remaining areas would be livable.

"That'll be up to the property owner and his insurance company," he said.