PORTAGE, Mich. — A suspicious fire at a hotel near the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Airport pushed long-term tenants out onto the street Sunday afternoon.
The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) says it was originally called in for 2700 Airview Blvd — the parking area and car rental center just west of the airport — but the fire happened at a nearby hotel.
It took 90 minutes and help from Portage, Oshtemo and Comstock fire departments to knock down.
"Upon arrival from their first arriving PCSOs there was heavy smoke throughout the building. And we were told that there was people trying to exit out windows," said Kalamazoo Fire Marshall Scott Brooks.
Brooks added that people were using sheets to climb out the windows. "You're 18 feet off the ground. And then they had to break the window to get out because the windows aren't made to open for people to exit."
Before the fire spread, Brooks told FOX 17 the fire started in a conference room on the second floor, which triggered suspicion.
"The area where the fire was located is not an area that would have been, for any reason, a fire to occur," he said. "At the time, there should not have been anybody in this area, because it's a conference room."
Seven rooms were being rented at the time. Brooks says management is working on getting them another hotel. "Unfortunately, due to the fact that this is not a permanently occupied building, it's not something that the Red Cross can help with as far as putting them somewhere."
Brooks did add that the Red Cross and local churches were on the scene connecting people with resources.
No injuries were reported.
Investigators told FOX 17 that the building sustained significant damage.
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