20 April 2009

Firefighters have been called to a fire at the Holiday Inn in Central Milton Keynes for the second time in nine days.

Around 50 people were safely evacuated, and crews were able to prevent the fire from spreading from the room it started in.

Crews from Great Holm, Broughton, Bletchley and Newport Pagnell were called to the hotel in Saxon Gate West at 2.53am after a fire in the basement area triggered an automatic fire alarm and sprinklers. The cause is being investigated by Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service and Thames Valley Police.

The fire damaged a room containing electrical equipment, and caused smoke damage to the basement and light smoke-logging to the ground floor.

Station Manager Paul Holland, the incident commander, said: "Firefighters did an excellent job to contain the fire to the room of origin, and acted quickly to limit the amount of smoke damage.

"We would also like to commend the Holiday Inn for taking such prompt action and for carrying out such an excellent evacuation."

Eight firefighters wearing breathing apparatus put out the fire with a jet and a hose reel, and ventilated the area with fans.

The same crews attended a fire on the third floor the hotel in the early hours of Saturday 11 April. Click here for details.