Firefighters bring blaze at Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel under control

A fire at a famous hotel in Dublin has been brought under control.

Staff and guests, including American actor Henry Winkler, were evacuated from the Shelbourne Hotel during the incident on Wednesday morning.

Six fire engines, including a turntable ladder and emergency tender, attended the scene after emergency services were called shortly after 10.30am.

Hotel staff spoke with guests gathered on the street beside the hotel.

Some of the guests held suitcases as they watched the operation.

Mr Winkler, who played The Fonz in the popular sitcom Happy Days, said he initially thought the fire alarm was an alarm clock.

“When I heard the fire alarm I thought it was the clock radio – I thought somebody had set the alarm before we got there, like another guest,” he told reporters.

“And finally I went into another room and it was still buzzing. So I called downstairs and the woman said in a very calm voice ‘Yes, we’re all evacuating, you must evacuate right now’.

“You know what, how wonderful are firemen? Some of my favourite human beings, firemen and firewomen.

“They run in when other people are running out.

“I think they deserve to (have their hands) shook.”

Dublin Fire Brigade said the evacuation “helped enormously”.

Gardai put traffic diversions in place in the area.

Marianne and Patrick Brown were due to be staying at the hotel on Wednesday, after flying to Ireland from Dallas, Texas, but were unable to check in because of the fire.

Ms Brown said: “It is quite the wake-up after an overnight flight.”

She added that the staff had been “great” but she had not been told whether she would be able to check in.

“Safety first, so I think they’re just waiting for the all-clear,” she said.

“We think it will take them an hour or so to get sorted once they get the all-clear.”

Ms Brown added: “It’s been an interesting start to the day.”

Guests have since been allowed to return to the hotel.

A spokesman said no injuries had been reported.

The five-star hotel is located on St Stephen’s Green near Leinster House and several Government departments.

Local traffic diversions remain in place.