GUESTS had to be evacuated from a Kendal hotel after a small fire began in the female changing rooms.

Two fire engines from Kendal were called to the Riverside Hotel, on Beezon Road, at 2.40pm yesterday (Feb 15).

Once in attendance they extinguished the fire before using large fans to remove the smoke.

Watch manager John Lynch said the fire started in the changing rooms of the hotel's health club and was caused by a hairdryer.

"The hotel staff and guests were very quick and professional," he said.

"We committed two firefighters with breathing apparatus who managed to extinguish the fire quickly and remove the smoke."

Nobody was injured, added Mr Lynch.