46 evacuated as huge fire destroys roof of hotel in Hungary — Video

A major fire broke out at a hotel in Salgótarján on Friday evening, destroying the roof of a separate building housing the gymnasium and swimming pool at the Medves Hotel. Firefighters from four towns were called to tackle the blaze, which was brought under control only by Saturday morning.

46 guests evacuated as flames destroyed roof of hotel

According to the disaster management authorities, the fire broke out in a separate part of the hotel complex on Medvesi Road. The roof structure was engulfed in flames and subsequently collapsed.

Firefighters from Salgótarján, Bátonyterenye, Szécsény and Pétervására attended the scene under the direction of the Nógrád County disaster management operations service. They used seven water jets to fight the fire.

46 people evacuated from hotel

As Nool writes, the fire affected around 500 square metres of the gymnasium and swimming pool complex, according to László Juhász, a spokesperson for the Nógrád County Disaster Management Directorate. The entire roof structure of the affected building was destroyed in the blaze.

A total of 46 people had to leave the hotel while firefighters worked to extinguish the flames. They were subsequently allowed to return once the firefighting operation had ended. Three groups of guests were staying at the hotel when the fire broke out. Despite the scale of the blaze, nobody was injured.

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Overheated sauna believed to be source of fire

Hotel owner Krisztián Dóczi told local news outlet Nool that the fire is believed to have started in the sauna. According to the owner, the sauna overheated before catching fire. The flames then spread rapidly from the wooden structure to the roof of the adjoining gymnasium and swimming pool complex. The wooden construction contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, with the roof eventually being completely destroyed.

The sauna itself, together with the roofs of the gymnasium and swimming pool, was completely lost in the fire. Firefighters continued their work throughout the night, with the operation finally completed on Saturday morning. An investigation is expected to establish the precise circumstances and cause of the fire.

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