Liberty hotel fire causes brief evacuation of guests

LIBERTY — A commercial dryer fire at the Rodeway Inn on Belmont Avenue caused about $75,000 in damage late this afternoon.

Hotel guests were evacuated from the building as a precaution. No injuries were reported in the fire, and the cause is still under investigation.

The fire was under control quickly when Liberty firefighters and other fire departments arrived to the hotel after the call came in at 4:15 p.m.

The dryer was heavily damaged, and there was some heat and smoke damage in the laundry room.

There was also electrical and smoke damage throughout the hotel.

The people staying at the hotel were able to return to their rooms if they wished, fire officials said.