Videos Show Smoke Billowing Into Sky Near Universal Studio's Resort

Video shared on social media has shown plumes of smoke billowing into the air after a fire broke out at a site near Universal Studios Florida in Orlando.

Public information officer for the city, Ashley Papagni, told Newsweek that at around 6.15 a.m. Saturday the city's firefighters had to respond to an alarm at a two-story abandoned hotel on 7050 South Kirkman Rd. At least 10 vehicles from Orlando Fire Department and Orange County Fire Rescue went to the scene.

Social media users noted the proximity of the fire to Universal's Endless Summer Resort but the burning building was located around half a mile to the west.

"This is an abandoned hotel in the area and it doesn't have anything to do with Universal Orlando," said Papagni.

The burning hotel was also one and a half miles south of Universal Studios Florida, the theme park owned and operated by NBCUniversal whose attractions are linked to movies, television, and the entertainment industry.

One image shared with Newsweek by the Orlando Fire Department shows flames and smoke pouring from the structure which is located near a number of other hotels. Another picture showed firefighters at the scene tackling the blaze.

The fire extended to about one quarter of the building and initial reports suggest that no injuries were reported. The cause of the blaze is under investigation and Papagni said local residents should be wary of residual smoke in the area.

Heightened security and localized transport and business disruptions are likely as emergency crews work to extinguish the fire and investigate the incident and localized power outages are possible, according to the website Crisis 24.

"Avoid the area until authorities give the all clear," the site said, adding that locals should "consider remaining indoors as smoke is heavy."

Meanwhile, it emerged that the building has been the scene of previous fires.

Firefighters told local news outlet WESH 2 that they had been called to the abandoned property at least twice this year, once on February 27 and again on March 10, although investigators said that neither of those fires were suspicious.

The building was deemed uninhabitable in an inspection carried out on August 31, 2020 which found noncompliance with city code regarding fire protection, Click Orlando reported. The inspection said that building's structure was "neglected, damaged, dilapidated, unsecured or abandoned."

Update 03/30/24, 9:42 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with further information and images of the scene from Orlando Fire Department.