World · North America · 3 hrs ago
Fire engulfs former Travellers Inn in downtown Victoria
A major fire engulfed the former Travellers Inn in downtown Victoria on Saturday morning.
The building is at 760 Queens Avenue, and the first fire call came in at 3:50 a.m.
local time.
The former hotel is now a low-rise apartment building with 85 suites, six of them occupied.
Firefighters searched part of the building but did not find anyone inside; there is no confirmed word on injuries.
Crews have moved to a defensive operation, fighting the fire from outside as heavy heat and flames made the interior unsafe.
Blanshard and Douglas streets are closed on sections leading into and out of downtown, and police are asking people to stay away.
The cause and full extent of the damage are not yet known, and firefighters are continuing to battle the blaze while protecting nearby buildings.
A fire engulfed the former Travellers Inn at 760 Queens Ave. in downtown Victoria early Saturday.
Firefighters switched to defensive operations after heavy heat and fire conditions forced crews out of the building.
The building contains 85 suites, of which six are currently occupied, and firefighters said they found no one during their search.
The cause remains under investigation, though initial observations suggest the fire may have started inside the building.
Road closures are in effect, and officials have urged people to stay away from the area.
- Who
- Victoria firefighters, assisted by crews from other departments, are fighting the fire. The building’s occupants and nearby families are also affected.
- What
- A major fire engulfed the former Travellers Inn. Firefighters searched the building before switching to defensive operations.
- When
- Early Saturday morning, Oct. 24, 2026. The first call was reported at 3:50 a.m. PT.
- Where
- 760 Queens Ave. in downtown Victoria, near Blanshard Street.
- Why
- The cause remains under investigation. Initial observations suggest the fire may have started inside the building.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The first call reporting a fire at 760 Queens Ave. came in.
Firefighters arrived and initially searched part of the building.
Heavy heat and fire conditions forced firefighters to withdraw and switch to defensive operations.
Major roads in and out of downtown Victoria were closed.
- Address
- 760 Queens Ave., Victoria
- Building
- Former Travellers Inn
- Suites
- 85 total; six currently occupied
- First call
- 3:50 a.m. PT on Oct. 24, 2026
- Road closure
- Blanshard Street closed between Bay Street and Pembroke Street
- Nearby assistance
- Emergency Support Services is assisting three families on Field Street
3 sources
What people are saying
We did not locate anyone during the search of that building
We’ve switched to a defensive operation, which is exterior only right now.
It is a very significant event, for sure