By Debbi Wilgoren
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, May 24, 2008

Three tour buses parked under a hotel breezeway near Reagan National Airport caught fire early yesterday, sending heavy smoke into the building and forcing the temporary evacuation of about 150 hotel guests, officials said.

No one was injured.

The blaze, which gutted the three buses, was reported about 2:30 a.m. at the Hilton Crystal City, 2399 Jefferson Davis Hwy., said Battalion Chief Carol Saulnier of the Arlington County Fire Department. Damage was estimated at $1.5 million.

The guests remained outside for about an hour while firefighters inspected portions of the 386-room hotel to make sure the fire had not spread, said Ben Thompson, general manager.

"Our first concern is always just guest safety," Thompson said. "And all the guests were fine. Everybody was safe. Nobody was hurt."

Thompson said the buses were for tour groups staying at the hotel.

The groups resumed sightseeing after buses arrived to replace those that had been burned.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The outer walls of the hotel were damaged by the smoke, Saulnier said. Another fire official said the fire did not enter the hotel.

Staff writer Daniela Deane contributed to this report.