facebook-pixel

Early morning fire forces brief evacuation of downtown hotel

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Disaster Kleenup at the site of a fire at downtown Salt Lake City’s Little America Hotel Friday December 26, 2014. Salt Lake City Fire Department spokesman Jasen Asay said that 32 firefighters were rushed to the hotel, 500 S. Main St., at 2:49 a.m. when smoke was reported billowing from a room.

An early Friday fire of suspicious origin forced dozens of guests out of their rooms at downtown Salt Lake City's Little America Hotel.

Salt Lake City Fire Department spokesman Jasen Asay said that 32 firefighters rushed to the hotel, 500 S. Main St., at 2:49 a.m. when smoke was reported billowing from a room.

Crews evacuated affected guests — reportedly less than 100 from the first floor of the west wing — to the lobby of the Grand America Hotel, across the street, while the blaze was extinguished.

While Asay said investigators initially had deemed the circumstances of the blaze as "suspicious," the cause of the fire remained under investigation. One person was being questioned, though authorities did not initially characterize that person as a suspect.

No injuries were reported and guests were allowed to return about 4 a.m.

A damage estimate was not immediately available.

remims@sltrib.com

Twitter: @remims

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Disaster Kleenup at the site of a fire at downtown Salt Lake City’s Little America Hotel Friday December 26, 2014. Salt Lake City Fire Department spokesman Jasen Asay said that 32 firefighters were rushed to the hotel, 500 S. Main St., at 2:49 a.m. when smoke was reported billowing from a room.

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Disaster Kleenup at the site of a fire at downtown Salt Lake City’s Little America Hotel Friday December 26, 2014. Salt Lake City Fire Department spokesman Jasen Asay said that 32 firefighters were rushed to the hotel, 500 S. Main St., at 2:49 a.m. when smoke was reported billowing from a room.

Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Disaster Kleenup at the site of a fire at downtown Salt Lake City’s Little America Hotel Friday December 26, 2014. Salt Lake City Fire Department spokesman Jasen Asay said that 32 firefighters were rushed to the hotel, 500 S. Main St., at 2:49 a.m. when smoke was reported billowing from a room.

By Bob Mims: The Salt Lake Tribune