MORE details have emerged about a suspected fire which led to a hotel evacuation and the arrest of a guest who 'refused to leave' his room.
Fire crews and police rushed to the Travelodge in Cathedral Square, Worcester, last night (Monday) as alarms went off and guests were forced to leave the building.
It was an operation which involved three fire engines, four police cars and an ambulance, the evacuation of the hotel and a fire service cordon being placed in front of several businesses and the car park.
A suspect was ultimately led away to a waiting police van in handcuffs as hotel guests and members of the public watched the spectacle.
The suspect - aged 40 - appeared to offer no resistance and did not speak as he was escorted away by four police officers.
The Worcester News understands he is still in custody at Worcester Police Station.
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "At 6.15pm on Monday emergency services were called to the Travelodge in High Street in Worcester following a report of a suspected fire in a room on the fourth floor.
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"Following attendance by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue and police a 40-year-old man was arrested for criminal damage and taken to Worcester custody."
The Worcester News understands the damage was to the lock on a hotel room door.
A spokesperson for the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: "Three Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews from Worcester Fire Station were called at 6.03pm to a fire with persons reported in Cathedral Plaza in Worcester.
"A person was in a room and refusing to leave.
"Entry was made to the room using spreaders and a Kelly tool.
"A man was taken into police custody.
"All persons were accounted for and the incident was left with police.
Ambulance also attended but a spokesperson said there were no casualties and the incident was marked as pending closure at 7.11pm.
A fire assembly point was set up in Cathedral Square with several guests saying the Travelodge had been evacuated after fire alarms went off.
A female guest, who declined to be named, said: "The security guard said he (the man who was arrested) locked himself in their room and was smoking. That's all we know."
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