Guests and staff have been allowed to return to the Mining Exchange hotel after a small fire broke out in the basement around 9:45 a.m. Thursday.

Colorado Springs Fire Department spokesperson Ashley Franco said crews were dispatched initially because the hotel's sprinkler system went off. Firefighters then discovered a small fire in the basement area of the hotel.

The basement contains the hotel's spa, according to General Manager Jana Smith.

Guests and staff were swiftly evacuated while CSFD called in a larger response. Among the evacuated was tourist Terri Kempthorn, who said she saw smoke coming from the basement as she was ushered out of the hotel.

"They did a fantastic job getting us all out," she said.

People were allowed back in to the hotel at around 10:45 a.m. Franco said the

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