Fairmont Palliser guests flood street after fire breaks out in iconic hotel's basement

Palliser Hotel evacuated due to fire Hundreds of people were evacuated from Calgary’s Palliser Hotel after a fire broke out in the basement.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from the Fairmont Palliser on Wednesday night after a fire broke out in the basement.

Fire crews responded to the iconic downtown hotel on Ninth Avenue S.W. around 8:45 p.m.

Guests quickly got out of the building and converged across the street -- some of them still in their bathrobes.

Buses were sent to the scene to provide shelter for the evacuees.

Police taped off an area near a stairwell to the basement where it appears the fire broke out.

Police were assisting fire investigators.

The Calgary Fire Department says a significant amount of smoke was billowing from the basement near a staff entrance to the building.

They believe the smoke was travelling through the hotel’s ductwork.

All of the guests were allowed back into the hotel at about 3 a.m.

No injuries were reported.

Several streets were blocked off and drivers were advised to avoid the area overnight.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but police say no arrests have been made and investigators do not believe it was criminal in nature.