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Dec. 03--A smoky fire destroyed the contents of a second-floor room and drove dozens of residents out of the Americas Best Value Inn, 1000 N. 42nd St., south of Gateway Drive, just before sunset today.
Nobody was hurt, according to the initial investigation, said Grand Forks Fire Battalion Chief Mike Sandry. The department doesn't yet know the fire's cause.
A second-floor room over the lobby of the Inn was the site of the fire that destroyed a bed and clothing and other contents, but appeared to leave the building's structure undamaged, said a firefighter. He told Sandry the firefighters planned to dump the burned contents out the window into the parking lot.
Smiley Thakker, the owner, talked to firefighters before calling other motels, trying to book rooms for his guests.
The motel was full, and Thakker was concerned about the weekend, Sandry said.
Joseph Taylor is one of several security guards working at the East Grand Forks American Crystal Sugar factory who are staying at the Inn.
"I was just getting ready to go to work when they came and banged on my door," Taylor said, standing outside watching the firefighters. He's from Kansas City and has been at the motel for about a month, Taylor said. "I'll be leaving soon, for Kansas City," he said.
The guest staying in the second-floor room where the fire started and stopped apparently is out of town, according to motel employees. One of the employees went into the room, and saw only smoke, no fire and "unplugged everything," he told other employees.
