Three people are being treated in hospital after a lift at Sliema's Plaza hotel caught fire this afternoon.
Two people were treated for smoke inhalation while a third sprained their ankle as they rushed to escape. Everyone has been evacuated and the fire has been brought under control. Police, fire and ambulance services are still on the scene.
Photo: Steve Zammit Lupi
A fire truck crane helped lift an elderly couple on higher floors to safety, and the road facing the hotel was temporarily closed off to traffic as a precautionary measure.
The hotel is expected to reopen as soon as emergency services determine that it is safe to do so.
[attach id=505060 size="medium"]Photo: Ivan Martin[/attach]