A two-alarm fire at a Jefferson City hotel Wednesday afternoon is believed to have started while a room was being treated for pests.
Fire officials said the fire in a first-floor room at Econo Lodge was called in around 4:35 p.m.
When crews arrived, there was heavy fire and smoke coming from the room. There were also reports of people trapped on the second floor of the building.
Firefighters contained the fire to the single room and were able to get everyone out. Other nearby rooms did suffer smoke damage.
The only injury reported was a hotel employee, who was treated for smoke inhalation.
As of Thursday night, fire officials were ruling the fire as an accident. They said it was believed that heat was being used to treat the pest problem.
Power to the damaged Bubba Lane wing of the facility was turned off and those staying in that section were relocated to the Jefferson Street side, which was not damaged.
Correction: Article corrected to indicate employee injured; corrected erroneous reference to section of building damaged.
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