Happy Days star Henry Winkler praises fire brigade after blaze at Dublin's Shelbourne Hotel
Henry Winkler with members of the Dublin Fire Brigade. Picture: Henry Winkler/X
US star Henry Winkler — famed for his role as The Fonz in Happy Days — has praised Dublin Fire Brigade after a blaze at the capital's Shelbourne Hotel.
Staff and guests, including Winkler, were evacuated from the hotel during the incident on Wednesday morning.
Six fire engines including a turntable ladder and emergency tender were called to the incident after emergency services were called to the area shortly after 10.30am.
Hotel staff spoke with guests gathered on the street beside the hotel and some of the guests held onto their suitcases as they watched the operation.
Dublin Fire Brigade said the evacuation “helped enormously” adding that the fire "is under control". Gardaí operated traffic diversions in the area.
A spokesman said no injuries had been reported.
Winkler, who has also starred in TV shows such as Arrested Development and Barry, said he thought a clock radio was going off when he first heard the alarm.
"I thought somebody had set the alarm before we got there, like another guest. And finally I went into another room and it was still buzzing.
"So I called downstairs and the woman said, in a very calm voice, 'yes, we're all evacuating. You must evacuate right now'. And I left."
The 78-year-old heaped praise on the fire brigade, saying firefighters are some of his favourite human beings.
"They run when other people are running out."
US actor Henry Winkler, best known as The Fonz from sitcom Happy Days, has praised Dublin firefighters involved in this morning's evacuation of the historic Shelbourne Hotel | Read more: https://t.co/X5dqu1Dd8N pic.twitter.com/lVikhTno7r
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) June 12, 2024
Marianne and Patrick Brown were also among the guests due to be staying in the hotel on Wednesday morning, after flying overnight to Dublin from Dallas.
The couple were not able to check in due to the fire.
Ms Brown said: “It is quite the wake-up after an overnight flight.” She said the staff had been “great” by checking in with people but she had not been given any indication if she would be able to check in.
“Safety first so I think they’re just waiting for the all clear.
“We think it will take them an hour or so to get sorted once they get the all clear.” Ms Brown added: “It’s been an interesting start to the day.”
Guests have since been allowed to return to the hotel.
The five-star hotel is located on St Stephen’s Green near Leinster House and several Government departments.
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