Fire breaks out at Santa Cruz hotel Saturday morning

An investigation is underway after a fire Saturday morning at the Surf City Inn and Suites in Santa Cruz.

It happened at around 4:14 a.m. on the 600 block of Riverside Drive. Crews responded to reports that flames were seen coming from a second story window.

When the Santa Cruz Fire Department got there, the fire had spread throughout the second floor and the 45 people in the building were evacuating.

Two crews were there using hoselines to attack the fire while still doing evacuations and rescues. They were also on the roof performing vertical ventilation with chainsaws so superheated gasses, smoke and fire could get out.

After about 15 minutes, the fire was extinguished and the firefighters started making sure it was completely out and getting personal belongings for those staying there.

The cause is under investigation, but the fire department says it is not suspicious.