More than 270 guests at a hotel in Abano Terme, in northern Italy, near Padua, had to be evacuated after a fire broke out this past morning and left at least 40 people hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
According to initial information, the fire broke out in a technical room on the second floor of the hotel, which released enormous smoke which spread at full speed throughout the building.
The hotel was completely evacuated, although a family with a small child was trapped initially in his room on the sixth floor. Ultimately, all three men were rescued without serious injury through the use of an extendable ladder.
As reported by the Italian agency ANSAfirefighters were able to extinguish the fire before dawn.
Abano Terme is a popular seaside resort with a population of 20,000. It is located near the Euganean Hills, known for their thermal water springs.
