Victoria firefighters battle major blaze at former Travellers Inn

A massive fire broke out at the former Travellers Inn, located near Blanshard Street and Queens Avenue in Victoria, early Saturday morning, October 24. Fire crews were first alerted to the building at approximately 4 a.m. following reports of alarm bells and multiple 911 calls.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy flames extending up the exterior of the building. While crews initially attempted an aggressive interior attack and search, intense heat and fire conditions forced them to withdraw and switch to a defensive operation, fighting the blaze from the outside to protect surrounding structures. Of the building’s 85 suites, six were occupied at the time of the incident. No injuries or missing persons have been reported.

Emergency Support Services have been deployed to assist three affected families. Local power was shut off to facilitate the emergency response, and road closures have caused significant traffic delays. Crews from the Victoria, Saanich, Esquimalt, and Oak Bay fire departments are working together to contain the blaze. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.