One person unaccounted for after massive fire destroys former hotel in Victoria

Police in Victoria say one person is unaccounted for after a major fire tore through a former hotel in the city. 

Both fire officials and police say they are investigating the blaze that began early Saturday morning and destroyed the former Travellers Inn. 

The City of Victoria previously said that the building's occupants were accounted for but there were unconfirmed reports of others in the structure at the time.

The building was engulfed in flames, and the statement from the city said that part of the structure collapsed and heavy machinery had to be used for a "controlled demolition" of the remaining building. 

Victoria Fire Chief Dan Atkinson said the blaze spread so rapidly that crews had to take a "defensive posture" after clearing the structure.

Police say investigators will be at the scene for several days to look into the cause and they are asking anyone who has information on the fire to reach out to them if they have not done so yet.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 26, 2026.

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