'Dozens' of people have been evacuated from a city centre hotel after a fire alarm went off. Fire crews from across Manchester descended on Dale Street after the alarm sounded at Premier Inn, near Piccadilly station.
The building was evacuated this afternoon (February 5) following reports of smoke in the basement, which is believed to have involved electrical equipment. Firefighters were called out at around 1pm and remained at the scene for almost an hour.
Thomas Galea had just arrived at the Premier Inn, after travelling to Manchester from the South West, when the hotel was being evacuated. "I was going to check into the hotel but as I arrived there was a fire alarm," he said.
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"They didn't say what caused it but it looked like it could have been a false alarm. The whole place was evacuated.
"There were about 40 to 50 people who were taken out into the street, to the evacuation point. The whole place has been reopened again.
"Everyone has done a professional job, everyone got out calmly and safely. I think a few people were quite cold as they were just out in t-shirts, but I think they've done amazing."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “At approximately 1pm on Sunday, February 5, firefighters were called to reports of smoke coming from the basement of a commercial premises on Dale Street, in Manchester. Fire engines from Manchester Central, Broughton, Moss Side, Philips Park and Gorton stations quickly arrived at the scene.
“The incident is understood to have involved electrical equipment. Firefighters carried out safety checks using a thermal imaging camera and other specialist equipment. Fire crews were in attendance for just under an hour.”
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