VIDEO: A fire broke out early Tuesday morning at the Flagship Inn and Suites in Groton. The fire forced 20 guests out of their rooms and damaged 16 units, according to fire officials. Poquonnock Bridge Fire Chief Jeffrey Rheaume said the flames started in the motelโs lobby, with the initial 911 call coming in at 1:08 a.m. The call was upgraded to a three-alarm fire. โWhen units got here at 1:14 [a.m.], the building was being evacuated and they had heavy fire from the office area and two rooms adjacent to the office, heavy fire when they arrived on scene,โ Rheaume said.
A portion of the Gold Star Highway was closed temporarily to allow fire crews and emergency vehicles to access the scene; however, it is has since reopened. No injuries were reported. Crews said they were able to contain and fully extinguish the fire. The American Red Cross was on site to provide food, coffee, and blankets to those who were forced out. Guests were relocated to unaffected sections of the motel. Authorities said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
