Small Fire Forces Evacuation Of Omni San Diego Hotel

SAN DIEGO, CA — A minor fire in a high-rise hotel next to Petco Park prompted an evacuation of the structure Tuesday along with closures of various nearby streets in the western reaches of the East Village.

The non-injury blaze erupted within a mini-refrigerator in a 10th-foor guest room at the Omni San Diego Hotel about 1:15 p.m., according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

The flames spread to a wooden cabinet and a small section of wall before being extinguished by a built-in fire-sprinkler system, SDFRD spokeswoman Monica Munoz said.

"The hotel (also) has an automatic system that notifies everyone inside to evacuate when ... activated," she said. "So that is what took place. The only fire damage was to the room itself where the fire started. There is some water damage to other areas."

Authorities shut down a stretch of L Street, which fronts the hotel, and parts of J Street, K Street, Sixth Avenue and Tony Gwynn Drive while firefighters made sure the blaze was fully under control.

All the affected traffic lanes were open again as of shortly after 4 p.m., according to police.

— City News Service