Tourists were evacuated from the Plaza Hotel in Sliema after a fire broke out this evening.  The Civil Protection Department was on the scene, as well as the police and ambulances.

The fire was eventually brought under control and no one was seriously injured.  The road in front of the hotel, on the Sliema front, was temporarily closed to traffic. One person slighlty injured his leg and two were taken to hospital after inhaling too much smoke. others were treated on site for smoke inhalation.

The fire is believed to have started on a basement level (-1) and a considerable amount of smoke entered the hotel’s lift shaft.

The hotel was expected to open again soon once the authorities give the all clear.