North Little Rock, Arkansas – Firefighters responded to a blaze Tuesday evening at the Residence Inn on Health Care Drive, where a fire damaged the roof and attic but caused no reported injuries, according to the North Little Rock Fire Department.
Crews arrived quickly at the hotel located at 4110 Health Care Drive after receiving reports of smoke and flames coming from the top of the building. Firefighters moved fast to evacuate the premises, ensuring that all guests and staff were safely out. Officials later confirmed that no one was injured during the incident.
“The building was evacuated and there were no injuries reported,” said the North Little Rock Fire Department in a statement following the fire.
Though the flames were contained to the roof and attic, visible damage was evident once the fire was extinguished. Parts of the roof appeared charred, and smoke could still be seen rising hours after the fire was brought under control. Investigators believe that a lightning strike may have triggered the fire, which broke out during a storm passing through the area at the time.
Crews remained on scene for several hours, checking for hot spots and ensuring the fire did not spread to lower levels of the building. Despite the damage to the upper areas, firefighters confirmed that the structure remained stable, and no additional hazards were found.
The hotel has not yet confirmed how many guests were staying at the Residence Inn when the fire broke out or whether any personal belongings were lost. Management has not issued a statement, but it is expected that alternate lodging arrangements are being made for displaced guests.
Officials said an investigation into the exact cause of the fire is still ongoing, though early signs point toward a weather-related incident.
The North Little Rock Fire Department has not given an estimate on the extent of the property damage but praised the quick evacuation efforts and response by first responders.
No further details were immediately available.
