Missing Person Case Stills As Clean‑Up Continues After Victoria Hotel Fire A massive fire destroyed the former Travellers Inn in downtown Victoria Saturday morning, leaving a missing person, nine displaced occupants and extensive structural damage. Firefighters are systematically removing debris while investigators search for the missing individual and determine the cause of the blaze, which remains undetermined. Utility services have been temporarily cut to protect neighboring areas while cleanup and remediation are underway. One individual remains missing following a devastating blaze that gutted the former Travellers Inn, a historic downtown Victoria hotel located at 760 Queens Avenue. Saturday's inferno erupted just after midnight, engulfing the building in a torrent of flames that the Victoria Fire Department is still battling to rid the ruin of. Investigators Remove Debris To Search Missing PersonThe fire was declared fully extinguished by roughly 1 a.m. Sunday, yet the response is far from over. Police and fire investigators, in partnership with the Office of the Fire Commissioner, have returned to the scene for a comprehensive, day‑by‑day removal of debris in a cautious, methodical manner. This systematic dismantling is driven by the possibility that the missing person could be trapped within the wreckage.Victoria Fire Chief Dan Atkinson emphasized that each step will be carried out with "utmost care and control," and that the crew will respond with dignity and respect should anything be uncovered. The city has requested that anyone with information contact the E‑Comm non-emergency line at 250‑995‑7654, ext. 1, referencing file No. 26-45101. The cause of the fire remains unknown. Investigators have yet to pinpoint where the blaze began or what ignited it.The sheer volume of destruction hampers the ability to deploy investigators inside the burning structure, forcing crews to adopt a defensive strategy. Rather than risk personnel exposure, the department performed a controlled demolition, a move that was deemed safer for both the public and the firefighters themselves. Chief Atkinson noted that the proximity to a previous vehicle fire last month is not considered a contributing factor. Two weeks prior to the fire, the department conducted a property inspection.Inspection Found Accumulation Of Combustible MaterialsWhile the building's fire alarm and detection systems were found to be in satisfactory condition, inspectors flagged a significant accumulation of combustible materials - furniture and other unused items - within various parts of the former hotel. Efforts were underway to address these concerns, and a follow‑up inspection had been scheduled. It remains unclear whether these stored materials played any role in igniting the conflagration.The incident has displaced nine occupants, all of whom are receiving assistance from the city's Emergency Support Services. The team is collaborating with regional and provincial partners to secure safe accommodation for those affected. Utility providers were temporarily disconnected power, natural gas, and other services as a precautionary measure to protect neighboring structures. Reinstatement of services is proceeding, with no current air‑quality concerns reported in the area.The former hotel is privately owned, and the property owner will shoulder responsibility for site remediation and disposal of damaged materials once investigation concludes. The city will work collaboratively with the owner, preferring voluntary compliance before resorting to enforcement measures. Chief Atkinson anticipates ongoing activity for at least a week, possibly longer, as the investigation and cleanup proceed. The aim is to ensure a thorough understanding of the blaze's origins while safeguarding any potential survivors or evidence.