Electrical Fire Forces Evacuation Of Langham Hotel

BOSTON (CBS) -- Guests at Boston's Langham Hotel left the building Friday after a fire in the electrical room sent smoke up to the first floor.

The hotel was also forced to switch to generator power.

Traffic was blocked on Franklin, Pearl, and Oliver Streets and trucks from Eversource were called to the scene.

The fire department says that the building wasn't evacuated above the first floor.

However, the hotel says the building was emptied while the fire was being extinguished. The hotel also says the staff cooperated with fire officials.

"The Langham, Boston has been evacuated. Our staff is cooperating with the Boston Fire Department who are currently in the building and will investigate the cause of the fire, which was not on a guest room floor," the hotel said. "The priority right now is to ensure the safety and comfort of all hotel guests and employees while we let the Boston Fire Department do their job."

Hotel guest Tammy Curtright says she saw smoke.

"It started coming from the light fixtures, and so we were told to evacuate," Curtright said. "You could smell it too, so we decided to grab a taxi and go eat lunch."

The fire was put out and all of the fire units left the scene. However, an electrical inspector has been brought in.