Over 400 guests evacuated after fire breaks out at Australia's Hilton Hotel.

More than 400 guests were evacuated from the Surfers Paradise Hilton hotel early Friday morning after a fire broke out. The fire started on the roof, and falling debris caused a second fire on a lower level of the hotel.

According to the Queensland Fire Department, six fire crews arrived quickly after receiving the emergency call. The first team reached the scene shortly after 2 a.m. and found the hotel’s roof in flames. As parts of the burning structure fell, they ignited another fire below.

Firefighters worked quickly and managed to put out the fire by around 2:30 a.m. A spokesperson for the fire department later confirmed that fire investigators were not needed, as the Hilton Hotel’s building management was handling the situation.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel  

One of the nearby residents, Ralph Kogler, was woken up by a loud noise at around 2 a.m. When he looked out his window, he saw flames covering the roof of the hotel.

“Burning pieces were flying everywhere. It looked like the whole side of the building was on fire. It was unbelievable,” Kogler said. He also described how some of the burning debris fell onto a restaurant below, setting fire to coffee shop tables and even an umbrella.

Another witness, Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Shane Dye, lives in a residence in one of the Hilton towers next to the burning building. He was working in his lounge when he saw the fire.

“My window faces the tower that caught fire. I was just 30 meters away, and everything was in flames. I couldn’t believe it,” Dye told Racenet. He added that there was confusion during the evacuation.

“The front desk staff didn’t seem to know what was happening. Then suddenly, people rushed in, shouting that the whole building was on fire, debris was falling, and we needed to get out immediately.”

Thankfully, no one was hurt, and guests were allowed to return to their rooms once the fire was under control. Police have stated that they do not believe the fire was started on purpose, but an investigation is still ongoing.