Guests Evacuated as Fire Erupts at Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica

A fire broke out Saturday afternoon at the tall Huntley Hotel just above the Third Street Promenade. Passers by phoned into the Santa Monica Fire Department as the restaurant on the tall hotel began to burn.

Fire crews arrived minutes later and found a large volume of fire visible on the exterior of the top floor of the 18 story high rise building at Second Street North of Wilshire. "Due to the complexity of the building, a 2nd Alarm was immediately requested which brought in crews from the Los Angeles Fire Department," said Fire Captain Patrick Nulty in an official press release.

"As hotel guests were evacuating, Firefighters quickly made their way up stairwells to "The Penthouse" restaurant located on the top floor. Moderate offshore winds fanned the flames which broke out glass windows and spread the fire into the restaurant. Fast acting staff used fire extinguishers to fight back the flames until Firefighters made their way up to fight the fire.

It took 40 Firefighters just 18 minutes to completely suppress the blaze, limiting most of the damage to the exterior with only minor fire and smoke damage within the restaurant," Nulty wrote.

"Paramedics treated 7 patients suffering from smoke inhalation. Fortunately, no one required to be transported to the hospital. The fire appeared to start on the exterior of the building within the decorative polystyrene moldings."

"Fire Department investigators sifted through the debris and were unable to find a specific cause, however they did not suspect any foul play. With the exception to "The Penthouse" restaurant, the hotel was able to remain open and guests were allowed to re-enter the hotel and continue their stay. Santa Monica Police provided assistance with traffic and crowd control. No injuries to first responders occurred."