DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Construction crews are set to demolish the Bayview Hotel in Daytona Beach Saturday, which city officials believe may collapse after a massive fire ripped through the building early Friday.
More than 30 people evacuated from the hotel when the fire broke out, officials said. The fire reignited later in the morning.
Daytona Beach firefighters said the fire started in the boiler room of the Bayview Hotel on Orange Avenue.
The fire was originally contained to the boiler room and no one was injured, firefighters said.
The flames, however, sparked back up later in the morning and the fire grew more intense.
The roof caved in and dark, heavy smoke was billowing from the roof.
Firefighters were able to keep the flames from spreading to any nearby buildings.
Just spoke with Gary from the All Volusia Riders Group about their collection for the people who lost everything in the motel fire. They’re asking for donations of clothing, toiletries and non-perishable food to meet people’s immediate needs. pic.twitter.com/wUkxndeySi
— Deanna Allbrittin (@deannaTVnews) July 28, 2018
Witnesses said they heard people shouting about a fire at about 5 a.m. The century-old building's 50 residents left their possessions behind as they raced downstairs to escape the flames.
"I didn't try to grab anything trying to head downstairs to get towards the door," resident Burt Bailey said. "You know there's going to be scrambling going on -- everybody trying to get out."
Many of the residents said they had been homeless and were just getting back on their feet when they moved into the hotel.
Resident Dan Rieger said he lived in his car for six months before he moved into the hotel. He said he had been using his disability checks to pay his rent.
All donations can be dropped off at the One Horse Saloon at 139 West Orange Avenue starting right now. If you’re not able to leave your home, you can call or contact them on Facebook and someone will come by to pick it up. pic.twitter.com/XRHHH4cosv
— Deanna Allbrittin (@deannaTVnews) July 28, 2018
"I guess I'm homeless again," he said.
It's unknown what caused the fire. No injuries were reported.
The American Red Cross was sent to the scene to help the victims.
Orange Avenue will be closed from South Beach Street to South Palmetto Avenue Saturday while the building is demolished.
DBFD still on scene battling this fire. So far they have successfully prevented it from spreading to adjacent buildings. pic.twitter.com/WfeLHpPa9D
— DaytonaBeachFireDept (@DaytonaBeachFD) July 27, 2018
Part of the roof has now caved in. Firefighters still working extremely hard to get intense fire under control pic.twitter.com/iRn5L54cz1
— DaytonaBeachFireDept (@DaytonaBeachFD) July 27, 2018
Getting second aerial in place for this now HUGE fire. Port orange and Volusia county on the way to assist Daytona Beach Fire Department pic.twitter.com/Y8mRgOLq92
— DaytonaBeachFireDept (@DaytonaBeachFD) July 27, 2018
DB Firefighters getting water on the fire. Working against heavy flames and thick smoke pic.twitter.com/6R6lTjZWyk
— DaytonaBeachFireDept (@DaytonaBeachFD) July 27, 2018
Setting up aerial apparatus to fight the fire at Bayview Hotel on Orange Ave. in Daytona Beach pic.twitter.com/4cUvd0rAsw
— DaytonaBeachFireDept (@DaytonaBeachFD) July 27, 2018
Daytona Beach Firefighters preparing to enter building as smoke pours out of the top floor. pic.twitter.com/MH4TUCVVb2
— DaytonaBeachFireDept (@DaytonaBeachFD) July 27, 2018
DBFD on scene at Bayview Hotel. Working structure fire at Motel that had fire earlier this morning. Fire sparked back up. pic.twitter.com/3SFS5uoeUp
— DaytonaBeachFireDept (@DaytonaBeachFD) July 27, 2018
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