The Holiday Inn Express and Suites, 1000 Moore Drive, Niles, evacuated all guests at approximately 10:30 p.m. Tuesday after a commercial dryer began sparking, causing thick smoke to fill the hallways.

According to Niles Township Fire Chief Gary Brovold, the fire was contained to the dryer, which was the only part of the hotel that sustained smoke damage.

Alarms were sounded and firefighters checked all 70 guest rooms as a cautionary measure.

“There are so many unknowns,” Brovold said. Guests started to return to their rooms at about 11:30 p.m.

The Holiday Inn opened along the South 11th Street corridor this year.

Niles City Fire Department, Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service, Lifecare Ambulance Services, Bertrand Township Fire Department and Clay Fire Territory also responded.