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A three-alarm fire was brought under control without anyone suffering injuries Wednesday at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine.
John Sherwood, assistant chief of the Grapevine Fire Department, said officials think the fire started in the ducts at one of the restaurants at the resort on Grapevine Lake. It was reported at 3:49 p.m.
“Then it traveled through the ductwork to the roof, and some smoke along the way escaped out onto the floors,” Sherwood said.
Firefighters from nearby departments were called in to assist Grapevine firefighters, and officials asked people to avoid the area as “many fire apparatus” descended on the massive resort. News helicopter images showed dozens of hotel guests standing outside, some with their luggage.
Hotel management did not say how many people were evacuated because of the blaze.
About 5:40 p.m., fire officials tweeted that the fire was under control and that crews were continuing to check the ducts for smoke and hot spots. An hour later, fire crews were in the process of clearing the scene.
Sherwood said one firefighter was treated for minor heat exposure but no injuries were reported.
Essence Coleman, who said she was visiting from South Carolina for a travel marketing conference, said thousands of people were scheduled to be part of the event she was attending.
“All I know is that I woke up to the alarm, and then they said we need to exit the building,” she said.
Coleman said the evacuation process was orderly and that she thought the situation was contained quickly.