Overnight fire causes more than $1 million in damage to hotel in Waterloo

An overnight fire at a hotel in Waterloo is estimated to have caused more than $1 million damage while displacing more than 100 tenants.

Police say emergency crews were called to the Inn of Waterloo, located at 475 King St. N., at around 7:20 p.m. for a report of an active fire on the second floor.

They say one person was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

Police say the cause of the fire is believed to be accidental although the investigation is not complete.

Waterloo Fire Rescue estimated the damage to the hotel to be more than $1 million.

The hotel had been being used by the House of Friendship for a temporary shelter for 120 people experiencing homelessness as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“What never ceases to amaze me is the way so many community partners and emergency
responders engaged immediately to successfully care for and relocate all of these individuals
last night,” House of Friendship Executive Director John Neufeld stated.

“Likewise, I am incredibly proud of our Shelter staff who responded to this incident with outstanding compassion, leadership and nimble problem-solving.”

The building was evacuated with residents temporarily being transported to a hotel in Guelph.