30/04/2008

Taoiseach Comes Under Fire In Washington Hotel

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has been evacuated from his hotel in Washington after a fire alarm in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

US secret service agents whisked him away from the Mayflower Hotel after the fire alarm was activated

His daughter and sister, who are accompanying Mr Ahern on his latest - and last official American visit, also had to leave the city centre building.

They were out for at least half an hour before the building was declared safe.

Mr Ahern is in Washington ahead of his historic address to the joint houses of the US Congress this afternoon.

A Government spokeswoman said a generator burnt out on the roof of the exclusive hotel and residents were evacuated at 4.20am local time.

There were no immediate reports of any casualties.

The spokeswoman said: "A generator was burnt out on the roof and as a precaution they were evacuated from the hotel for approximately about half an hour. As a precaution they evacuated the entire hotel."

(DW)

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