People rescued from balcony, escaped from windows in Hollywood hotel fire

A Hollywood hotel was evacuated early Friday morning after a fire, with some people needing rescue from a balcony, according to fire rescue officials.

Around 2:10 a.m., Hollywood Fire Rescue responded to the fire at the Hollywood Gateway Inn, 2900 Polk St., said department spokesperson Chai Kauffman.

Crews worked to extinguish a fire on the east side of the building, which was quickly brought under control.

Most hotel guests and staff escaped on their own, including through windows, according to Miami Herald news partner CBS News Miami.

Two people were rescued from a second-floor balcony, Kauffman said. They were evaluated for smoke inhalation but declined transport to a hospital.

Two others were hospitalized with injuries sustained while evacuating the hotel.

The building remains closed. Fire officials say the blaze appears to have been accidental and electrical in nature.

“Importantly, the building’s smoke alarms operated exactly as they should, providing early warning and allowing occupants to evacuate quickly,” Kauffman said in a statement to the Miami Herald.