Firefighters investigating what started two-story fire at Palm Springs hotel

Firefighters are investigating what started a two-story structure fire at a Palm Springs hotel Friday evening.

According to the battalion chief at the scene, the fire started in a room on the second floor of the Rodeway Inn hotel on 1700 S Palm Canyon at around 6 pm. Flames eventually went up to the third floor, some surrounding rooms suffered smoke damage.

When rescuers arrived at the hotel, they tried to get people out of the building as fast as possible.

“All of a sudden I hear police car passing by and they speaking on megaphone something but we couldn’t understand,” said Gabriella Ugarkovic, a guest from Canada.

That was an officer who saw the flames and was instructing guests to get out.

“Screams fire so I open the door and fire is shooting out of both sides of the building so immediately we just grab the purse with documents and money and run out,” Ugarkovic said.

Fire crews worked quickly to stop the spread of the flames and contained it to the area.

“The fire was lapping up and it extended into a room on the third floor directly above the main fire unit,” said Robert Wright, Palm Springs Fire Department Batallion Chief.

Firefighters don’t know what caused the fire or if someone was in the room when the fire started. This remains an ongoing investigation.

Palm Springs police confirmed S Palm Canyon is closed Belardo E Palm Canyon and Twin Palms, W Palm Canyon is also closed.

No injuries were reported. The hotel is still working on what to do with guests with damaged rooms.

Stay with KESQ / CBS Local 2 for the latest details.