Investigators working to determine cause after ‘suspicious’ fire at Merritt hotel

The RCMP say an overnight structure fire at a Merritt hotel has been deemed suspicious, though investigators are still working to determine a cause.

Police say officers from the Merritt RCMP Detachment as well as crews from Merritt Fire Rescue responded to the Comfort Inn and Suites on De Wolf Way around 1:30 a.m. Friday (June 13).

“A significant section of the building was engulfed, resulting in extensive damage,” RCMP spokesperson Cpl. James Grandy said. “Fire investigators and Merritt RCMP officers remain on scene today gathering evidence and determining the cause of the blaze.”

Grandy says no injuries were reported as all of the hotel guests were safely evacuated.

The owner of the hotel, who declined to speak on camera, told CFJC Today that the entire hotel will be shutdown so repairs can be made, noting it could take between one and two years for that work to be completed.

Anyone with further information about the fire is asked to contact Merritt RCMP at (250) 378-4262 and reference file 2025-2801. They can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).