Crews with the Gainesville Fire Department were called to investigate a fire at the old Gainesville Motel off Gordon Avenue Tuesday morning.
Division Chief Keith Smith said firefighters arrived at the scene just after 8 a.m.
"Upon arrival, personnel found light smoke showing from room #38. Upon entry, they found a mattress on fire. Personnel removed the mattress from the room and extinguished the smoldering mattress," Smith wrote in a press statement.
He said there was no one at the vacant hotel when units arrived. He confirmed that homeless people have been know to stay in the rooms at the old hotel.
"It appears the fire may have been started from careless smoking," Smith said.
The Gainesville Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.
