Coverage: London Free Press | CTV London | CBC | AM980
Man suffers life-threatening injuries in east London motel blaze
Two men were injured, one of them critically, in an early-morning fire at an east London motel Monday, officials say.
London Free Press Staff
Two people were taken to hospital after a fire at the American Plaza Hotel in London on Monday March 3, 2025. (Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)
Two men were injured, one of them critically, in an early-morning fire at an east London motel Monday, officials say.
Emergency crews were called around 5:10 a.m. to a fire at the American Plaza Motel at 2031 Dundas St., where two men were taken to the hospital and firefighters contained the blaze to one unit, London Fire Department platoon Chief Jamie Britton said.
“The one occupant of the unit that was involved was taken out by another occupant of one of the other units and they’re both in hospital in serious condition with smoke-related injuries,” he said.
London police said one man had life-threatening injuries, while the other had serious injuries.
Britton said the motel, located east of Clarke Road, had been evacuated by the time firefighters arrived, but crews searched to building to ensure nobody was still inside.
“They confirmed all other occupants were out of the units and were able to knock the fire down quickly, he said.
More than two dozen firefighters helped battle the blaze, Britton said, and damage was estimated between $60,000 and $80,000.
No cause has been determined yet. London police and the Ontario Fire Marshal are assisting in the investigation.
Police temporarily closed nearby roads but all have been reopened.
The American Plaza Motel was the scene of a shooting and robbery that seriously injured a man on Nov. 25, 2022. Two men, 33 and 37, were later charged.
London motel fire: ‘I lost everything’
Two men are hurt after fully involved motel fire on Dundas Street early this morning, CTV London’s Gerry Dewan reports.
2 people critically injured after motel fire, rescue attempt in east London
CBC News
A fire blazed through room 15 at the American Plaza Hotel in east London on March 3, 2025. Two people, including the occupant of the room, are in hospital in serious condition. (Kendra Seguin/CBC)
One man is fighting for his life, and another is in serious condition following a rescue attempt after a fire broke out at a motel in east London early Monday morning.
One of the people injured was staying in the burning motel room at the American Plaza Motel at 2031 Dundas St., and the other was a guest who rushed in to try to save him, according to London Fire Department platoon chief Brent Shea.
Both men remain in hospital, according to London police, adding that one has life-threatening injuries and the other suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
“I awoke to the sound of sirens, and at first, I didn’t take it very seriously. I just thought it was something minor,” said Jessica Elizabeth, who has been living at the American Plaza Motel since November. “Then, obviously, I looked outside and saw what was going on.”
Emergency crews were called to the motel just after 5 a.m. It took seven crews roughly five minutes to knock down the fire, Shea said, adding the fire was contained to the one room.
A fire damaged room 15 at the American Plaza Hotel in the early hours of March 3, 2025. (Kendra Seguin/CBC)
Elizabeth said she watched fire crews arrive and noticed the strong smells of smoke and plastic coming from room 15, located in the corner of the motel.
“There is definitely some shock going on there and the fact that they’ve lost everything,” she said, adding that she gave blankets and shoes to some of the occupants affected this morning.
Elizabeth was one of around 10 people forced out of their rooms for an hour while crews contained the fire in the morning. The motel guests stayed in a room next to the check-in office or a heated London Transit Commission bus, she said.
“Everyone was very well taken care of, and I didn’t fear for my life at all.”
Jessica Elizabeth and her cat Willow had to leave their room at the American Plaza Motel during a morning fire at the building on March 3, 2025. They were able to return after an hour. (Kendra Seguin/CBC)
The American Plaza Motel has 40 rooms, but only about 15 were booked the night of the fire, said Asad Bhatti, who was working at the time.
“It’s a nightmare for business owners for this kind of stuff to happen,” he said, adding that he’s glad the fire was contained quickly and occupants could get back to their rooms.
Bhatti said the motel has a mix of long-term occupants and travelling guests. Shea said it’s important for travellers to think about fire safety.
“It’s always important to have a fire escape plan whether you’re at home or abroad. Make sure you know where your exits are,” Shea said.
Fire crews fight a fire at the American Plaza Motel in London on March 3, 2025. (London Fire Department)
The London Fire Department, London Police Service and Ontario Fire Marshall are now investigating the fire.
A cause hasn’t yet been determined, and there is no preliminary estimate for how much the fire may have cost in damages.
