Fire forces mass evacuation at Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel

A fire erupted at the Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel around 2am on Friday, prompting the evacuation of guests from 186 rooms across 34 floors. Multiple fire crews quickly responded, extinguishing the flames by 2:40am and allowing guests to return by 5:30am. Witnesses reported seeing flames engulfing the roof, particularly around the hotel's large 'H' sign, with some describing a 'fiery explosion.' Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. The incident comes shortly after news of another Hilton hotel closing in Brisbane later this month, raising concerns about the future of the brand in the region.