Fire forces Center Hotels guests out of Reykjavík building

Guests at Center Hotels Skjaldbreið were moved to other hotels operated by the chain after a fire broke out at the building at Laugavegur 16 in Reykjavík, mbl.is reported.

“We accommodated them all at hotels we operate nearby. They are there now and will remain there,” Center Hotels CEO Kristófer Oliversson told mbl.is.

The fire started in the basement and took some time to contain, allowing smoke to spread throughout the building. Oliversson said the hotel had sustained considerable damage.

Firefighting operations ended at 4am. Four members of staff from nearby hotels arrived during the night and helped evacuate all the guests before the fire service took over.

“Fortunately, this is over. Our staff did well, and the fire service and police handled the situation professionally and efficiently,” Oliversson said.

The next steps are to assess the damage, repair the hotel and determine when it can reopen. Oliversson said this could take days or weeks.