Potawatomi Casino Hotel evacuated after fire breaks out in HVAC system on roof
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Potawatomi Casino Hotel says they will reopen Monday night, after a morning fire broke out in an HVAC system on their roof.
First responders were called to the casino shortly before noon Monday, April 6, as heavy black plumes of dense smoke were seen coming from the west side of the building, prompting an evacuation.
According to the Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD), the fire was found on the roof in a HVAC unit of the casino. There was no fire or smoke on the inside of the building.
A representative of Potawatomi Casino Hotel told CBS 58 the entire building was being evacuated with the exception of the hotel, which was not impacted.
MFD says 90 firefighters, paramedics, and fire commanders responded to the scene. The rooftop fire was quickly extinguished, and declared under control by 12:29 p.m.
Guests inside described it as "chaos."
"I could smell smoke. I thought, hmmm, don't smell good," said Kelly Kotarek, who was inside Potawatomi at the time of the fire. "Then, all of a sudden, they yelled, 'Everybody out!' and came out on the loudspeaker. 'Everybody has to evacuate now.'"
In a statement, the casino said Milwaukee Fire Department Chief Aaron Lipski confirmed the building is "completely safe for guests and team members." They say fire damage was contained to the HVAC system, and Potawatomi has a backup HVAC system that is fully operational.
No injuries were reported. The fire remains under investigation.
Potawatomi will reopen at 6 p.m.