hotel crews rushed to the Red Lion Hotel in Kelso, Washington, after a two-alarm fire tore into the building on Saturday afternoon. Firefighters were dispatched just after 1: 30 p. m. (ET) to 510 Kelso Drive, where heavy smoke was seen billowing from the side of the structure. all guests and employees were evacuated safely and no injuries have been reported.
Two-alarm response as smoke pours from the building
Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue said fire crews fought the blaze through Saturday afternoon and into the evening, working to contain a fire that prompted a two-alarm response. When crews arrived, they encountered heavy smoke pushing out from the side of the hotel, triggering an expanded firefighting operation.
mutual aid was requested from surrounding agencies, including Longview Fire Department and Clark County Fire & Rescue. In total, 60 firefighters helped battle the flames. During the response, the roof partially collapsed as crews worked to control the fire’s spread.
Evacuation confirmed; fire breaks helped slow the spread
Firefighters confirmed they were able to ensure everyone inside got out safely. No one has been reported hurt,, as crews continued operations into Saturday night.
Lieutenant Bryan Ditterick described a key factor that limited the damage. “There are fire breaks on a hotel of this nature, which helped with the fire not spreading, ” Ditterick said.
The fire’s impact was visible well beyond the property. Smoke filled the area near Interstate 5 as the building burned, drawing attention from nearby residents and passersby.
Immediate reactions from the scene: smoke, smell, and heartbreak
Emma Starks, who was nearby, described how quickly the situation became clear. “We saw from all the way over to the Motel 6. We thought it was just something, fog, or something, but then we smelled it, and it was really bad, ” Starks said.
For some locals, the fire felt personal. Madilynn Harris-Pikron, who lives in the area, said watching the flames was difficult. “Kelso, being such a secret place to the people that live here, even places that we may not use often—it’s really heartbreaking in the town and community. And the effect it has on the community as well, it’s just really sad, ” Harris-Pikron said.
Quick context and what’s next
Crews continued mop-up work at the hotel on Saturday night, while officials asked the public to avoid the area. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Next updates are expected as investigators work to determine what sparked the blaze and as firefighters complete remaining operations at the hotel site, with officials continuing to urge people to steer clear of the area during cleanup and assessment.
