Repeat fire at Petersburg motel raises safety concerns

Repeat fire at Petersburg motel raises safety concerns

PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) — For the second time in just over a year, a fire has broken out at the American Inn Motel in Petersburg, leaving residents shaken and raising concerns about safety at the property. Shawn Thompson, who lives at the motel with his wife and children, said he noticed smoke outside their unit the afternoon of Wednesday, July 30. “Me and my wife and my kids were in our hotel," he said. "I was like, hey, 'there’s a lot of smoke …