The Detroit Fire Department was called to the 14-room Paris Hotel on the city's east side shortly before 5 a.m. Thursday.
Department spokeswoman Katrina Butler confirms that one person was killed and two others were injured, but she offered no immediate details.
Butler says the cause of fire is under investigation.
Owner Manuel Casey says six people were staying on the second floor of the two-story building, and at least one person had to jump from the structure to escape.
Casey says the hotel has been run by his family since 1952. He says he hopes to rebuild.
