Fire Burns on Roof of Patrick Henry Hotel

Fire trucks nearly surrounded the Patrick Henry Hotel.

Firefighters rest in the 100-degree heat.

The face of a firefighter.

Too pooped to pant.

The captain's gear.

An explosion and fire in an air conditioning unit on the roof of the newly-renovated Patrick Henry Hotel in downtown Roanoke has caused an undetermined amount of damage. Smoke was detected on the fourth through 10th floors, according to officials and there was no word on anybody being injured.

A maintenance worker is said to have put out the fire.

It appeared that just about every piece of fire apparatus in Roanoke was on the scene. I was eating lunch next door when the commotion began and ran out and shot these photos.

The PH is occupied with residents in apartment units and there is no immediate word on how the incident will affect occupancy. The hotel is to have a number of Jefferson College students occupying apartments. Businesses are on the bottom floor.