Horror in Tenerife as man plunges to his death to escape fire at busy holiday hotel | World | News

Almost 500 tourists have been evacuated after a fire broke out at a Tenerife holiday hotel. A guest subsequently plunged to his death from a third-floor balcony to escape the blaze.

The blaze erupted at the Melia Costa Atlantis Hotel, located in Puerto de la Cruz, last night (Wednesday, October 8). An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire but it is believed to have started from a mattress.

It is believed several Bris were among the 490 guests that were evacuated. Pictures show them stood outside the hotel while firefighters put out the flames.

A man, 23, died after jumping from the balcony of the room where the fire started. The local authorities confirmed his death and said the fire was brought under control with no other injuries reported.

They said: “The first emergency calls were received at just after 9pm last night, saying a fire had broken out at a hotel in Venezuela Avenue in Puerto de la Cruz.

“Firefighters, ambulances and police were sent to the scene and police began the evacuation of the hotel once they arrived.

“While they were there we were informed a man who turned out to be a 23-year-old client had plunged from a hotel balcony for reasons that are still being investigated.

“He was confirmed dead at the scene as a result of the injuries he suffered. The blaze was brought under control and put out. It affected a room which was ventilated afterwards.”

The Melia Costa hotel is yet to make any official comment. None of the tourists evacuated were hurt and they were allowed to return to their rooms shortly after the order to leave.

It comes days after around 200 people were evacuated after a fire broke out at a tower block in Birmingham. Over 60 firefighters rushed to the scene while guests at a Premier Inn were evacuated from the hotel.

West Midlands Fire Service said in a statement: “We were called at 2:40am on Sunday October 5 to reports of a fire on New Street in Birmingham city centre. 

“Twelve fire engines and five brigade response vehicles attended, crewed by firefighters from stations across the Birmingham area.”