GROTON — A fire engulfed the main building of the Flagship Inn & Suites early Tuesday morning, prompting a massive emergency response and evacuation of all hotel guests.
The Groton Emergency Dispatch Center received the first 911 call at approximately 1:07 a.m. from a hotel employee reporting a fire in the main office at 470 Gold Star Hwy.
A second call came from a resident of a neighboring home who also reported the structure fire.
Responding officers confirmed the main building was engulfed in flames with propane tanks exploding behind the building.
Police quickly evacuated all hotel occupants and moved them to a safe location away from the fire.
Sixteen fire departments from surrounding communities responded to assist the Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department in battling the blaze.
No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.
The American Red Cross arrived on scene to help displaced residents secure temporary housing.
The Montville Fire Department’s Canteen Truck provided assistance to first responders and displaced hotel occupants.
Fire officials deemed the main section of the hotel uninhabitable due to major structural and smoke damage, though two separate buildings on the property remained undamaged.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Groton Police Department’s Fire Investigation Unit and the Poquonnock Bridge Fire Marshal.
