1 person dead after fire erupts at motel near Woodstock

One person is dead after a fire at a motel outside Woodstock early Thursday.

Fire crews and police said earlier that one person was unaccounted for after the blaze, which broke out about 4 a.m.at the JohnGylesMusic Room & Inn in Hay Settlement, about 15 kilometres south of Woodstock on Route 165.

At about 3 p.m., RCMPconfirmed in a news release that a body was recovered from the motel.

There was no other information about the death, including the gender of thevictim, or whether the person was a guest or an employee.

Police said they are working to determine the identity of the body.

1 person treated in hospital

Ricky Nicholson, chief of the Woodstock Fire Department, initially said that 20 to 25 people were in the motel when the fire started, butRCMPconfirmed later that there were 23.

The fire destroyed the bar, restaurant and office and the centre of the building.

Const. A.J.Whitewaywith WoodstockRCMP, said thewings on either side of the restaurant weren't damaged, except for the rooms closestto the centre.

Dan Bedell, communications director with the Canadian Red Cross in Atlantic Canada, said the agency was helping 18 people, including one person who was sent to hospital. That person has since been released.

Thirteen people were overnight guests at the motel, including some tradespeople, who stayed there for weeks at a time, Bedell said.

Looking for cause

The Red Cross is also assisting a long-term resident, who will likely stay with family.

CBCNews asked the owners of John Gyles Music Room & Inn for an interview but they declined.

The entire motel was in flames as localfire departments reached the scene.

"It's not looking good for the building," said Nicholson said.

The fire marshal wason the scene investigating the cause of the fire.