About a dozen people still looking for places to live after Budget Inn fire in Fairfield

INITIAL REPORT: Dozens displaced by Budget Inn fire staying at Hamilton YMCA

Between 50 and 60 people were moved to the Fitton Family YMCA in Hamilton temporarily after the fire with the help of the American Red Cross, according to Fairfield fire officials. Marita Salkowski, a spokesperson for the American Red Cross in Cincinnati, said there are still about 12 people in need of shelter assistance. Those people are now at Calvary Chapel, 5957 Boymel Drive, she said.

“Case workers are working to find sustainable shelters or living conditions as they move out of the shelter,” Salkowski said.

The fire broke out due to a short circuit in the building’s main power supply, causing sparks, flames and smoke to erupt, according to the Fairfield Fire Department. The fire did not breach the building, but until power is restored, fire officials said it’s uninhabitable.

Budget Inn owner Ila Desai told our news partner, WCPO-TV, she “was nervous” when the fire broke out.

“I was worried about the people who were in the building,” she said.

Until power is restored, the Budget Inn will remain closed.

“They said they’d fix it right and that it won’t happen again because a lot of peoples’ lives are at stake,” Desai told WCPO.

Desai said customers are able to come back to the hotel to collect belongings in their rooms.