A faulty air and heating unit is being blamed for causing a hotel-room fire that caused the evacuation of the Best Western Atrium Gardens in Arkansas City.
Some basic details of the fire were released in a report from the Arkansas City Fire Department Tuesday. The fire occurred Monday at the hotel at 3232 North Summit.
Fire crews assisted two occupants from second story windows because those people were unable to escape because of the heavy smoke in the hallways. Ladders were used to assist those occupants that were on the second floor.
Additional fire crews were sent into the building to search each room for occupants, no other occupants were found in the building. Two hotel staff members who attempted to fight the fire with a fire extinguisher were transported to hospital for possible smoke inhalation; both patients were treated and released.
No other injuries to occupants or firefighters.
The initial investigation and cause of the fire appears to be a mechanical failure of an air and heat unit in the room. Fire damage was limited to room 234 with heavy smoke and heat damage to the second floor.
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The Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department crews were assisted by Winfield Fire, Winfield EMS, Arkansas City Police, and Cowley County Sheriffs Department.