COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - Transients seeking shelter in an abandoned motel just south of downtown Colorado Springs appear to have started a fire inside one of the old units.

Firefighters were called to the former Sun Springs Motel off South Nevada and Brookside at about 9:30 Monday morning, where they found the small fire. Crews kept the flames contained to single unit.

#ColoradoSpringsFire working structure fire at 1411 S. Nevada. Sun Springs Motel. Fire contained to one unit. Fire is knocked down at this time. SB Nevada is closed at Brookside. Please avoid the area.

The motel has been fenced off for months and slated for demolition, but according to a lieutenant on scene, a handful of homeless people have been squatting there. The lieutenant told 11 News the transients appear to have started a campfire inside the motel. The fire was under control within minutes of firefighters arriving and declared fully out before 10 a.m.

Southbound South Nevada was closed while firefighters worked but has reopened as of 10:30 a.m.