Gwinnett hotel temporarily evacuated when candle, pizza box cause fire

More than 40 hotel guests were temporarily evacuated after a candle and a pizza box started a fire in a guest’s room early Sunday morning, Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services said.

Firefighters responded to the WTL Extended Stay hotel in Norcross at 3:23 a.m. The occupant of the room alerted a manager to the fire, and the manager called 911.

There was some smoke coming out of the room’s window when firefighters arrived, said Capt. Tommy Rutledge, a spokesman for Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services. The fire was contained to one room, but there was extensive damage to the space. Two other adjoining rooms had smoke damage.