Police evacuate 126 guests from Skien hotel

Police are evacuating 126 guests from a hotel in Skien after reports of an ammonia smell, Dagbladet reported.

Residents near an ice rink in the area have been told to keep their windows closed and turn off ventilation systems.

Police, in consultation with the municipality’s crisis management team, have arranged buses and taxis to transport the hotel guests.

The South-East Police District reported the incident at 2.23am on Friday after an employee at Hotell Fritidsparken reported an ammonia smell in the area.

“In consultation with the incident commander from the fire service, it has been decided to evacuate all guests from the hotel,” police operations leader Tom Richard Skuggedal wrote in the police log.

An ice rink located a short distance from the hotel uses ammonia for cooling, according to police.