Fire at ANA Hotel in front of Hakata Station, guests evacuate amid smoke
A fire broke out at the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel near Hakata Station in Fukuoka, prompting the evacuation of guests and causing chaos due to smoke in the area.
A fire occurred at the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel located in front of Hakata Station in Fukuoka City around 4 PM on the 6th, as reported by the Fukuoka City Fire Department. Smoke filled the surrounding area temporarily, forcing hotel guests to evacuate outdoors, creating a chaotic scene. By around 5 PM, the smoke had largely subsided, alleviating immediate concerns for those involved.
Hotel officials reported the fire originated from the kitchen on the second floor, leading to a swift response from emergency services. Fortunately, there were no confirmed injuries among the guests or hotel staff. Eyewitness accounts from evacuees revealed a sense of confusion as they were instructed to leave the hotel quickly, with some expressing concerns about the availability of their accommodations following the incident.
Among the guests, a female company employee in her sixties described her experience of arriving for check-in only to be told to evacuate by staff members. Another guest, a 20-year-old man from Utah, expressed frustration over being unable to access his room, uncertain of when he might return. The incident underscores the importance of safety protocols in hospitality venues and raises questions about the hotel's measures for effectively managing such emergencies.