LENOX, Mass. — The Friday morning fire that gutted the Wagon Wheel Inn is still under investigation, and several people who were living at the motel have moved to another one. 

The Fire Department received a report of the blaze around 6:15 a.m. on Friday, and it took hours to bring it under control, with numerous county fire companies responding. The Route 7 highway between Holmes Road and the Lenox shopping plaza was also closed, and traffic was rerouted. 

On Wednesday, Fire Chief Robert Casucci said no cause has been determined at this time, and investigators from the State Fire Marshal's Office and the property's insurance company are still working on it. 

From the street, the decades-old inn is missing much of its roof, and the structure is thoroughly charred.  It is secured by a chain link fence. 

"The loss amount to the Wagon Wheel hasn't been determined as of yet; I would not be surprised to find that it is deemed a total loss," Casucci responded to an email inquiry from iBerkshires. 

"There was no damage to any other surrounding properties." 

Several residents warming up at Market 32 on the day of the fire said they were long-term tenants of the motel and had lost everything. Thirteen people were believed to be staying at the motel, and a person named Ed reportedly knocked on doors to wake everyone so they could evacuate. 

Casucci reported that some residents accepted assistance from the Red Cross and relocated to the Howard Johnson by Wyndham hotel down the street. The town of Lenox made provisions for two nights at the Howard Johnson for all occupants of the Wagon Wheel, but some residents chose to make other arrangements, he said.