A fire was extinguished at the downtown Phoenix, Arizona, Hyatt Regency Hotel, which was quickly evacuated on Sunday evening, June 29, 2025, after breaking out. The high-rise hotel, in the center of the city near tourist spots and the convention center, was evacuated as soon as smoke was spotted coming from the hotel’s laundry room in the basement.
Responding, Phoenix Fire Department crews put out what they said was a smoldering fire, but they didn’t release any details immediately on what they believe started the incident.
Emergency Response and Evacuation Efforts
Firefighters were called to the hotel in the early evening following reports of smoke in the building. When crews arrived, they discovered that the fire had begun in the basement, specifically in the laundry room, a high-heat spot containing industrial equipment. The building has been evacuated, and dozens of guests were made to leave their rooms and wait out on the street as emergency services dealt with the situation.
No one was injured, and “there had been no visible structural damage to the building at the time,” despite the mess of a scene, the article said. Fire crews also moved fast to not only put out the fire but to check the building and make sure it was safe to go back inside. They also helped reset building systems, including fire alarms, ventilation, and power controls that could have been impacted by smoke.
Reaction from Guests to the Incident
Hyatt Regency hotel guests were shocked by the sudden evacuation, but complied with the hotel staff and first responders. Most were forced to abandon their belongings as the alarm system told them to leave the building. Visitors, such as tourists and business travellers, have been alarmed and baffled, but have been calm throughout all evacuation procedures.
Some guests documented the experience on social media, recounting being immediately raced out of their rooms and into safe outdoor spots around the hotel. Some commended the hotel personnel for how they handled the situation in a professional and rapid manner, while others described angst over the lack of updated information at the beginning of the evacuation.
Ongoing Safety Checks and Investigations
Then, after the fire was put out, firefighters and building-maintenance crews were still trying to gauge the true extent of the smoke damage and whether any threats remained. As of the time of this report, authorities have not given any information about how the fire started, and authorities from the investigation are investigating the cause and origin of the fire.
Considering fire started in the laundry room, causes could run the gamut from equipment malfunction with commercial dryers to overheating general mechanical or electrical systems to lint build-up, all common issues in hotel laundry operations. The cause of the fire has not been determined, and the fire department may release more information in the next few days.
Hotel Operations Resume Gradually
The evacuation temporarily interrupted hotel operations, but there were no immediate reports of longer-term closures or serious damage. Hotel employees and engineers worked hand in hand with underground emergency workers to inspect around them for guests to come back when it was safe to do so. It is anticipated that operations will be resumed in a short period, with the completion of safety checks and system restoration.
The Hyatt Regency hasn’t released a statement at this time, but it is said to be working with any guests affected on a case-by-case basis, which could include, according to guests, room moves, delayed check-outs, or additional perks where applicable.
Quick Response Prevents Greater Harm
The Hyatt Regency Hotel fire is a great example of why we have fire alarm systems and why we need to prepare for the worst, especially in a high-rise hotel. Now, thanks to the swift and efficient response from Phoenix firefighters and the hotel staff, a potentially hazardous moment has been controlled with no reported injuries or significant damage.
In the coming days, guests and city officials will be seeking answers, but in the meantime, the urgency is guest safety, operational resiliency, and avoiding similar incidents from occurring.
