The Quality Inn, 1200 W. Gannon Drive, in Festus was evacuated the night of Sept. 24 after smoke was spotted in the building. However, no fire was found, and it was determined the smoke was the result of a problem with a heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit, said Assistant Chief Chuck Boyer of the Festus Fire Department.
Shortly before 11 p.m., Festus Fire got a call about the smoke at the hotel, Boyer said.
“There was smoke coming from an HVAC unit on the roof,” he said. “(Firefighters) had to push the smoke out of the building. The building was evacuated for probably 45 minutes. They were then let back in.”
He said no injuries and no damage to the hotel were reported, although the problem with the HVAC needs addressed.
The Crystal City and Herculaneum fire departments and the Jefferson R-7 and Dunklin fire protection districts helped with the call since it involved a business.