Historic Hotel Bentley in Alexandria damaged by fire

Central Louisiana’s historic Hotel Bentley has been damaged by a fire in which one person was believed injured. The hotel’s president says Friday that the fire damaged the building’s exterior on the north side and was concentrated in the lower roof area, where a roof worker was burned and is being treated. Updates about the worker's condition was not immediately available. The hotel was built in 1907 and is the historic anchor of downtown Alexandria. The Town Talk reports the property has had a number of owners and undergone several renovations. Preservationist Mike Jenkins bought it in 2012 and converted some parts into private residential units.