Fire At Coast Inn Forces Evacuation of Guests

Tuesday, January 31, 2006 09:35 PM

The scene around the Coast Inn this hour where a fire broke out in one room

RCMP have barricaded several city blocks around the Coast Inn of the North this evening, and several fire units are on-scene, after a fire broke out in a room at the hotel around 8:40pm this evening.

Hotel guests and staff at the Coast Inn were standing on the sidewalks watching the scene unfold. Guests say the fire alarm drew their attention and calls to the front desk confirmed it was not a drill.

Everyone reported being able to smell smoke as they made their way down the stairwells, most with their coats and handbags, but no luggage.

Barb Metzner was standing on the sidewalk in her pajamas and winter coat, with her suitcase. Metzner, from Terrace, is staying on the 5th floor. She says she phoned the front desk when she heard the alarm, was told to evacuate and quickly threw her clothes in her bag.

Chuck McDowell and his wife, from Fort St. John, grabbed their coats, a purse and a bag of mints. They're staying on the 3rd floor and say it appears fire fighters have the situation under control, so they're not too concerned.

An RCMP officer on-scene could not say whether the fire had been extinguished just after nine this evening, but said fire fighters had advised they would not be allowing anyone back into the building until 10:30pm or 11pm this evening.

The blaze apparently broke out in a room on the 4th floor.