Fire Rips Through Alachua Motel; Crews Stop Spread

ALACHUA – Firefighters from multiple agencies responded Saturday afternoon to a working fire at a motel in Alachua, where crews encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from a ground-floor room.

Just after noon Jan. 17, units from Alachua County Fire Rescue, High Springs Fire Rescue, LaCrosse Fire Department and Newberry Fire Rescue were dispatched to a residential unit at the Best Value Inn, located at 16100 N.W. U.S. Highway 441. Law enforcement units from the Alachua Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol also responded.

First-arriving crews reported thick, black smoke and heavy flames rolling from a window of a downstairs unit. Firefighters initiated an aggressive interior attack while simultaneously conducting a primary search to ensure no occupants were inside the unit where the fire originated.

The fire was brought under control quickly, officials said. Additional crews assisted with checking for fire extension into other areas of the building and confirmed that the blaze had been fully extinguished.

No injuries were reported. However, the commercial structure sustained significant damage from the fire and from on-scene firefighting operations required to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the building.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.

#     #     #

email editor@

alachuatoday.com