Flames have badly damaged the Value Lodge on Nicol St., in a fire sparked around 3 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 26. (Danelle Webb)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

boxing day fire

Several people rescued ‘from smoke and heavy flame’ by firefighters at south Nanaimo motel blaze

Dec 26, 2025 | 9:04 AM

NANAIMO — Just over a half dozen people were taken to hospital after an early morning fire engulfed a motel.

Flames broke out shortly before 3 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 26 at the Value Lodge on Nicol St., south of Robins St., with photos and video from the fire showing the fire largely emanating from the second floor.

Assistant fire chief Troy Libbus told NanaimoNewsNOW they responded with two waves of engines and firefighters.

“Once we were on scene there were reports that seven to eight people were trapped so Nanaimo Fire Rescue rescued those people from smoke and heavy flame in certain areas, to get them out safety. They did suffer smoke inhalation and minor injuries.”

Nanaimo RCMP and Fire Rescue crews remained on scene Friday morning. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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People injured on scene were taken to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for further care.

Libbus said he had no reason to believe anyone else was missing or was lost in the fire.

Around 40 people were displaced by the fire, including 35 longer-term residents of the motel.

They are being housed temporarily by the City’s emergency services department at a Bowen Park reception centre.

Traffic along Nicol St. was closed in both directions for several hours as firefighters worked the scene.

Considerable resources were deployed to scene including five engines or fire trucks as well as a newly-created squad unit.

“With multiple apparatus, especially having two truck engines up putting water on to the building, our hydrants were on Nicol St., so we’ll block that off so no firefighters will get injured and we have lots of working room to keep everyone safe,” Libbus added.

RCMP Cst. Sherri Wade told NanaimoNewsNOW very little information in known about the fire so far.

“Police and fire are currently on scene and more information will be provided through out the day,” Wade said in a statement.

A cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

The second floor of the building was badly damaged by the fire. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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