Fire Destroys Half of Waterloo Motel

An electrical malfunction may be the cause of a weekend fire in Waterloo that destroyed about half of a motel.

Firefighters were called out just before midnight Saturday, to the Bel-Air Motel on University Avenue, an extended stay venue. Responding crews found heavy smoke coming out of the roof.

Waterloo firefighters had to battle the wind and snow to put out the blaze; it took nearly 3 hours to get it extinguished.

No one was hurt, but 21 occupants were displaced. The American Red Cross is helping residents with finding shelter.

According to sources, the origin of the fire appeared to be in some older neon lighting, near a gutter. The blaze then spread into the attic, destroying one of the two motel buildings.

-0-