Everyone got out safely after a three-alarm fire broke out at the Shamrock Hotel in southeast Calgary.
The Shamrock Hotel is located in the 2100 block of 11 St. S.E. in the community of Ramsay.
Crews were called to the scene at about 6:45 a.m.
The fire was knocked down shortly after arrival.
Calgary EMS had to treat three patients on scene for smoke inhalation.
12 people were evacuated from the building due to the fire.
Six ambulances have been called to the scene.
Two people have since been sent to hospital for treatment.
Others inside the building say they had a hard time escaping using the proper fire exits.
"I wanted to go out through the window. Small window, but I managed to make it out through it and went to the fire escape. The fire escape was chained up and locked. Firemen threw me a set of bolt cutters and I managed to cut the lock and get down," said Blair Tarsons.
Fire investigators are looking into the cause of the fire but a damage estimate isn't known at this time.
Roads have also been closed in the area for emergency personnel:
- 21 Ave. S.E. from 11 St. to 9 St. S.E.
11 St. was closed for about three hours after receiving the initial call.
The historic hotel has stood since the early 1900s and is the city's longest continuous venue for St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
The 47 room hotel once housed employees of the Burns Meat Packing corporation that was across the street until the plant shut down in 1984.
