A small electrical fire caused an overnight evacuation at the Holiday Inn on North Shoreline Boulevard, according to the Corpus Christi Fire Department.
Fire officials said crews responded to the hotel at 707 N. Shoreline Blvd., where a water leak caused water to pour into a high-voltage AEP electrical vault. The leak ignited the insulation, resulting in a small electrical fire.
The Corpus Christi Fire Department said the fire caused minimal fire damage and some water damage. CCFD said the fire was contained quickly, and no injuries were reported.
AEP was notified and responded to assist with the incident.
Before the fire department released details, hotel guests described the confusion after being evacuated from the building.
Kylie Wells, who was staying at the hotel for an extended visit, said she and her group were returning from a walk when they noticed dozens of people gathered outside.
“We left the hotel to go on a walk, and while we’re walking, we look back and we see everybody in front of the hotel,” Wells said. “They told us there was a fire in the laundry room, and we were just freaking out.”
Wells said their belongings remained inside on one of the hotel’s upper floors, leaving guests uncertain about what would happen next.
According to Wells, hotel staff began allowing guests back inside in small groups to retrieve their luggage.
“Right now they’re taking everybody upstairs five at a time to go get their stuff,” Wells said. “They’re starting from the top floor all the way to the bottom. There’s 20 floors, only five people at a time. It’s going to take forever.”
She said guests had not yet been told whether they would be able to return to their rooms for the remainder of the night or if other accommodations would be provided.