A two-alarm fire caused a temporary evacuation of the Fairmont Royal York hotel, located on Front Street, on Saturday morning. Fire crews were dispatched to the scene just before 5:30 a.m. after receiving reports of a fire originating from a laundry chute within the hotel.

According to fire officials, the evacuation of the hotel was executed safely and the fire has since been brought under control. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in connection with the incident, ensuring the well-being of both guests and staff.

A guest at the hotel shared their experience, recounting that alarms sounded around 5 a.m., signaling that there was an issue in the building. Shortly thereafter, at approximately 5:40 a.m., fire officials declared it an active fire situation, prompting the immediate evacuation of the premises. The guest commended the hotel for its effective fire safety plan, which enabled a prompt and safe evacuation.

Amidst the chaos, a couple staying at the hotel had an unusual story to share as they were scheduled to get married that very day. Expressing their excitement, they informed reporters from CityNews, “We’re actually getting married today at the Fairmont. We really want people to have a good time and remember this wedding… It will be a story for the ages.” The couple expressed hope that their wedding ceremony, set for 11:30 a.m., would not face substantial delays due to the incident.

After a period of waiting, guests were permitted to return to the hotel shortly before 7:30 a.m., allowing the couple and others to resume their plans for the day. The quick response from the fire department and the hotel's management helped mitigate what could have been a more severe situation.