Fire forces evacuation of Old Faithful Inn

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. – A small fire on the porch over the main entrance of the Old Faithful Inn prompted evacuation of the historic structure early Friday.

There were no injuries.

Yellowstone National Park officials said the fire broke out about 12:30 a.m. and inn employees used 16 fire extinguishers to control it until National Park Service firefighters arrived.

Damage was limited to a historic porch railing and a pile of lumber being used in the inn’s ongoing renovations. The cause was unknown, officials said.

The hotel has 327 rooms and suites, but it was unclear how many guests were evacuated.

The log inn, constructed in 1904, features a commanding view of Old Faithful Geyser from the porch that was damaged.

The park service refers to the inn as “the queen of rustic hotels in the national parks.”

It is now in the middle of a $31 million renovation and reconstruction project.