DANVILLE, Va. – The Danville Fire Department responded to a call at 1030 Piney Forest Road – the Astoria Hotel North -just before 7 am Tuesday. Crews arrived in about five minutes and found a large, two-story hotel with nothing showing. On closer inspection, firefighters spotted light smoke coming from room 25 on the second floor. A hand line was pulled and they forced entry into the room to find a couch on fire. The fire was quickly knocked down and under control at 7:13 am. The room was ventilated to remove smoke.

The room was occupied but no one was there at the time of the fire. Moderate smoke and heat damage was reported but crews prevented the fire from extending to other rooms.

Three engines, a ladder truck and 17 firefighters responded and crews were on the scene for about 90 minutes.

The fire was caused by some discarded smoking materials.

(Photo: Leonard Harville)