UPDATE: Towels reportedly started fire at OC hotel

Officials with the Town of Ocean City say a fire started by a pile of towels, caused an early morning blaze at a boardwalk hotel on Monday.

Spokesperson for the town reports Ocean City Fire Department responded to the flames around 4:10 AM, at the Atlantic Hotel on South Baltimore Avenue. Thirty to 40 people, from 80 rental units were reportedly evacuated. Firefighters reported to the scene to reportedly find a significant amount of smoke coming from the building, and quickly worked to put out the fire.

Investigators say the flames started in the hotel laundry room, and have ruled it as accidental. The flames apparently originated from a pile of towels, that apparently didn’t have time to cool. The Fire Marshal’s Office also states that certain cleaning chemicals can also generate heat, causing a pile of towels to reach their ignition temperature.

No injures have been reported and the fire apparently caused very minimal damages. Crews were apparently on the scene until 7:15 AM, which is when guest were allowed back inside. Baltimore Avenue was reportedly closed for about an hour during the investigation.