Vacant motel burns in north Phoenix, forcing nearby evacuations

A fire tore through a vacant Travel Lodge in north Phoenix early Friday, forcing the evacuation of two occupied buildings next door, according to the Phoenix Fire Department.

Crews arrived about 5:45 a.m. near the I-17 exit at Greenway Road to find heavy smoke and flames shooting through the roof. Firefighters battled the blaze from outside, aiming high-powered hoses from ladder trucks.

With the fire growing and occupied buildings to the north at risk, the response was upgraded to a second alarm, said Phoenix Fire Department Capt. Mike Johnson.

About 100 firefighters helped evacuate those buildings and keep the flames from spreading.

“The crews did an amazing job getting this fire under control in about 30 minutes,” Johnson said.

No civilians or firefighters were reported hurt. Investigators will work to determine the cause once it’s safe to go inside, Johnson said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM reporter Colton Krolak contributed to this report. 

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