A potential disaster was averted at a luxury hotel near O.R. Tambo International Airport late on Wednesday night after firefighters swiftly contained a blaze that tore through part of the eight-storey building.

Premier Hotel, situated adjacent to South Africa’s busiest airport in Kempton Park, was saved from what authorities described as the “horror of fire” following rapid intervention by City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) emergency services.

According to Ekurhuleni EMS spokesperson William Ntladi, a well alight structural fire call was received through the life-threatening emergency call centre at 23:20. Crews from Albertina Sisulu and Kempton Park fire stations were immediately dispatched, with additional support from Farrarmere and Boksburg Leon Ferreira stations.

“On arrival, the bigger part of the eight-storey hotel building was in a cloud of smoke. Firefighters assisted with evacuation procedures while suppression operations commenced,” said Ntladi.

Flames were detected on the seventh floor, placing the entire upper section of the hotel at high risk. Firefighters connected hoses to the building’s wet riser system to contain the blaze. During operations, one guest was rescued from a seventh-floor balcony. A full search and roll call confirmed all 158 guests and 23 staff members were safely evacuated.

Two guests, aged 60 and 41, were treated on scene for smoke inhalation but declined hospitalisation.

The fire is believed to have started in a guest room on the seventh floor and spread rapidly to adjacent rooms. Preliminary reports suggest an electrical short circuit linked to a plugged-in portable appliance may have triggered the blaze. Eleven rooms sustained significant smoke damage.

The hotel, known for its luxury suites, conference facilities and airport convenience for business and international travellers, was reportedly 50% occupied at the time.

Investigations into the exact cause of the fire are ongoing. The case was handed over to the South African Police Services (SAPS) for further investigations.