Blaze at Regal Inn Sheffield leaves transients homeless

Smoke can be seen billowing from the blaze at Regal Inn on Jackson Hwy. in Sheffield behind Cajun’s Restaurant.

SHEFFIELD-(SHOALS INSIDER)-Firefighters subdued a blaze on the southern most portion of Regal Inn Motel at 4305 North Jackson Highway around lunch time on Sunday, leaving several transients homeless.

Authorities tell the Shoals Insider, 15-20 transients are now without a home after Regal Inn suffered extensive structural damage to 10-12 rooms.

“We called the Red Cross to see if they could help provide shelter for these people,”  one motel employee tells the Insider.

Sheffield Fire Marshall Terry Lenz said the 911 call was received at 11:45 am. “Right before lunch,”

When asked what caused the fire, Lenz replied, “As of right now, we don’t have a clue what started it. State Fire Marshall Jimmy Collier is going to assist us in the investigation,”

“Tomorrow, we will take photos and get into the technical aspects of the investigation,” said Lenz.

Quick reaction by Sheffield Fire Department minimized the damage.

Captain Matt Mothershed and Lieutenant John Burdett were in charge of the scene.

“Things could have got really bad, really quick,” said Lenz. “There is a large natural gas back-up supply owned by the city of Florence on the south side of the building, behind Cajun’s Restaurant,”

According to authorities, the natural gas back-up supply pipes run from behind Cajun’s to all the way across Oneal Bridge into Florence.

Lenz said, “We had to make sure we kept it protected,”

No one was injured in the incident.  The occupants of the room were not at the motel at the time of the incident.

The motel will have to close because the electricity had to be turned off by the city.

Picture after blaze contained. Show damage to south end of structure (Photo Shoals Insider)