A terrifying blaze broke out at a hotel, sending thick black smoke billowing from the seventh floor and sparking panic amongst the guests.

The incident took place at Steuart Hotel in the Colombo Fort area of Colombo district, Sri Lanka, on December 5.

Visuals show thick black smoke pouring from a window on one of the floors, illustrating the severity of the blaze.

According to reports, six people, including a foreigner and five police officers, were hospitalised due to the fire. The police media division stated that these individuals, who suffered from breathing difficulties due to the heavy smoke, were taken to Colombo National Hospital for treatment. Hospital confirmed that their conditions were not serious.

Officials from the fire department state that the fire broke out on the seventh floor of the hotel on Chatham Street. “Twelve fire trucks and 41 officers were dispatched to the scene to control the blaze,” the official said. The firefighters were able to fully extinguish the fire. However, authorities have yet to assess the full extent of the damage, and the cause of the fire remains unknown.