Fire damages room at Southern Pines hotel

Firefighters were called to the hotel on West Morantown Road, off of U.S. Highway 1, about 5:30 a.m. and found flames in one of the guest rooms and heavy smoke in the hall.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the room, and no injuries were reported. Two people staying in the room escaped unharmed, and 10 others in the hotel were evacuated.

Firefighters said the rooms are not equipped with sprinklers because the hotel was built before they were required.

Southern Pines Fire & Rescue, Aberdeen Fire & Rescue, Pinehurst Fire Department, Moore County EMS, and the Southern Pines Police Department responded to the emergency.