Amit Talreja has been running the Travelodge on Lakeshore Drive since 2015.
One of his worst nightmares came true on Tuesday when he got the call that his business was on fire.
“I was with family including a cousin from India who I hadn’t seen for 25 years visiting from India so I was out taking his family around and we were on our way to Burgerworld when the call came through,” recalled Talreja.
See related: No injuries in Lakeshore hotel fire
Within minutes he rushed back to his business and his fears were put to rest.
“It was extremely stressful to know that there was a fire at the hotel but now to put things into perspective, by the time I got the call and returned to the hotel, which was about seven minutes the fire was out,” said Talreja.
Firefighters were able to contain the fire to one ground room floor.
"We got to it pretty quickly so we contained it to the bedding and the walls and ceiling,” stated Firefighter Captain Mark Linkie.
Talreja, who is originally from Woodbridge, was amazed at the effort by the North Bay Fire Department.
“The firefighters were nothing but exceptional, our staff was exceptional and we were most thankful that there were no injuries, no casualties, and our guests are satisfied, we are open for business,” said Talreja.
“We are doing our best to get the place fully operational and all the work on the room is being done locally.”
His family was impressed too.
“My mother says she has never seen anything in her life like this. We would never get this in the GTA,” he said.
He says the stressful event made him feel at home.
“The Fire Chief spoke to me, the way the team spoke to me, and the way they handled me, in particular, was nothing short of outstanding and I am humbled, I am grateful and I am just in awe and I think North Bay is home now.”
Link to original article in BayToday.com: Hotel owner praises city fire department