A fire damaged the American Inn on Tuesday in Petersburg, displacing 29 families.
“I saw the flames were coming out, very high flames on top of the roof,” American Inn motel owner Sunny Anand said.
Motel staff said they immediately sprang into action to help.
“Man, [room] 224 was just lit up, and we was trying to get everybody out,” American Inn maintenance worker TJ Poole said. “We did our best to get up there and get the fire out, and it did nothing but spread and spread and spread.” Firefighters were called to the scene at 2209 County Drive shortly after 1 p.m.
“On arrival, heavy fire was coming from rooms on the 2nd floor on both sides of the two-story building,” Petersburg officials said. “The fire was marked under control within 25 minutes.”
More than 25 firefighters from Petersburg and Colonial Heights battled the blaze.