Investigation ongoing into fire broke that out at the 259-bed Crowne Plaza on Bridge Foot just before midnight on Monday
THE week started dramatically in Stratford with a fire at the town centre’s largest hotel.
The fire broke out at the 259-bed Crowne Plaza on Bridge Foot just before midnight on Monday (29th April) in – it is suspected – the projection room, leading to thick smoke filling the hotel.
Staff quickly called the fire service and evacuated the building. Scores of guests were left to gather in front of hotel, some wearing just their nightclothes and dressing gowns.
Four members of staff were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
It is as yet unclear the extent of the damage, although the hotel remains closed until at least 20th May, the earliest it is taking bookings. Its phones were also down as the Herald went to press on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the hotel would only say: “The safety of our guests and colleagues is our highest priority. All guests and colleagues were evacuated and we are supporting the emergency services.
“The hotel is currently closed, and we are working with guests to rearrange bookings. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes and we hope to be able to provide a reopening date soon.”
Warwickshire Fire Service sent eight crews and a turntable ladder to the hotel.
Describing what happened, a fire service spokesperson said: “Late on Monday night, we responded to a 999 call reporting a fire at the Crowne Plaza, prompting the evacuation of over 100 individuals.
“On arrival crews found heavy smoke coming from the hotel. Thankfully, hotel staff had carried out an effective evacuation and all guests and staff members were safely accounted for. Acting swiftly, crews located the fire, suspected to be in the hotel’s projection room. Due to the size of the hotel and the location of the incident, a full sweep of the hotel was undertaken to ensure the fire hadn’t spread to the other floors.
“With heavy smoke throughout the hotel, firefighters used specialist equipment to ventilate each floor, aiding in smoke clearance. This allowed guests to retrieve their belongings safely before being assisted by hotel staff and the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Resilience team, who provided support and helped guests to find alternative accommodation.
“Four hotel staff members received treatment on-site for smoke inhalation.”
Hotel guests were taken to both the nearby Red Lion pub and the Premier Inn while the Crowne Plaza was made safe.
Fire service area manager Dan Glorioso praised the prompt actions of both hotel staff and firefighters, emphasising the adherence to fire procedures which ensured a successful evacuation.
He added: “Firefighters and incident commanders worked tirelessly through the night to contain and extinguish the fire, with a continued presence to damp down hotspots and maintain safety.
“At its peak, the incident involved over 40 firefighters, supported by eight appliances and specialist vehicles, resulting in limited fire damage thanks to safe and assertive firefighting action.
“The fire investigation team is currently on-site to determine the cause of the incident.”
