Hilton Ocala evacuated after alleged arson incident
The Hilton Ocala hotel was evacuated early Tuesday morning after a teenager set a couch on fire, setting a portion of the first floor ablaze, according to Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR). [Ocala Fire Rescue]
The Hilton Ocala hotel was evacuated early Tuesday morning after a teenager set a couch on fire, setting a portion of the first floor ablaze, according to Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR).
At about 3:24 a.m., OFR responded to the hotel at 3600 SW 36th Ave. to find a couch and part of a wall in flames on the first floor near the banquet halls, according to a press release.
With moderate to worsened smoke conditions through the lobby and first floor, responders evacuated all guests in the hotel and began extinguishing the fire with water cans and the help of the overhead sprinkler system, according to the release.
Approximately 320 guests were present in the nine-story hotel at the time of the fire, hotel staff told investigators.
The Hilton Ocala hotel was evacuated early Tuesday morning after a teenager set a couch on fire, setting a portion of the first floor ablaze, according to Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR). [Ocala Fire Rescue]
“Thanks to an effective evacuation plan and prompt response by first responders, no injuries were reported, and hotel guests were able to return to their rooms the same morning,” according to the press release.
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