Repeat fire at Petersburg motel raises safety concerns

PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) — For the second time in just over a year, a fire has broken out at the American Inn Motel in Petersburg, leaving residents shaken and raising concerns about safety at the property.

Shawn Thompson, who lives at the motel with his wife and children, said he noticed smoke outside their unit the afternoon of Wednesday, July 30.

“Me and my wife and my kids were in our hotel," he said. "I was like, hey, 'there’s a lot of smoke outside. Is that from just being humid outside or what?'"

When he stepped outside, Thompson said he saw part of the building on fire and quickly alerted the motel’s manager. Before firefighters arrived, he said several residents rushed to the front office to grab fire extinguishers and tried to knock down the flames themselves.

This isn't the first time flames have sparked at the property. In April 2024, another fire broke out in a separate building on the same lot. That fire displaced 29 families, and the building has remained uninhabitable ever since.

Motel owner Sunny Anand spoke with 8News off camera and said repairs from last year’s fire were supposed to be completed six months ago, but he’s still dealing with insurance delays and rising costs.

Thompson said his concern now lies with the residents still living next door to the newly damaged unit.

“You’ve got families still living right beside where that fire took place," he said. "That black smoot and all that is still right there where other people are."

The cause of Wednesday's fire is still under investigation. Thompson believes the fire may have been intentionally set, though that has not been confirmed by officials.