Cannock hotel evacuated after smoke spotted
A hotel had to be evacuated today after smoke was spotted billowing from an air conditioning unit.
Firefighters from Staffordshire and the West Midlands were sent out to the Ramada hotel in Orbital Plaza, Cannock at around 7.05am.
Meanwhile Ironbridge Power Station was on fire today, leading to a major emergency operation.
Guests were evacuated from their rooms at the Ramada, which has 95 rooms, after smoke was seen coming from an air conditioning unit on the 11th floor.
Hotel bosses moved them to a conferencing suite where a breakfast was put on for them all.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman Michelle Hunt said: "Fire crews arrived at The Ramada Hotel, Orbital Plaza, Bridge Street, in Bridgtown at 7.15am following a report of smoke coming from an air conditioning unit on the 11th floor.
"One engine from Cannock, Penkridge, Chase Terrace, Aldridge and two from Walsall attended the scene along with the aerial ladder platform from Stafford.
"The hotel was evacuated however, investigations found no sign of fire in the building.
"All of the crews have now left the scene apart from Penkridge and Cannock who are due to leave shortly."
The 12-floor hotel opened in 2006. It was built by local developer Fred Pritchard. Firefighters taped off the hotel but it was all removed by around 9am. Guests were being allowed back into the hotel at 9.30am.
Employees turning up for work today at the power station were directed to another part of the site by security staff. A fire broke out in a turbine within the building at around 6am. Power station owner E.on said there were no injuries and the fire had been contained within the building.
It was not clear if the station was producing any power today, although E.on said supplies to homes and businesses in the area would not be affected.
Eight fire engines raced to the scene after thick smoke was seen billowing from the station's main building.
The blaze broke out in a turbine within the building, but owner E.on said there were no injuries and the fire had been contained.
For safety reasons, fire crews had to wait two hours to gain access to the building.
A spokesman for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We had to wait for all the electrics to be made safe. That was confirmed at 7.53am and we carried out a full risk assessment before tackling the fire.
