By Della Hasselle and Mariel S. Clark
DNAinfo Staff
MANHATTAN — Fire fighters responded to the Sheraton Hotel in Midtown on Friday after smoke was reported on several floors, the FDNY said.
Firefighters determined that construction work in the building was the cause of the panic at the building, located at 811 Seventh Avenue. Smoke from welding equipment made its way into stairwells and hallways prompting an alarm about 2:50 p.m., FDNY officials said.
"I didn't know what to think with the history of New York," said Robert Ragno, 44, visiting from Biloxi, Miss. He and his daughter walked down 16 flights of stairs to get out of the hotel after the elevator wasn't working.
Although there was no official evacuation, many people left the building in a panic.
"Initially we were worried especially with 9/11 and with Veterans Day being yesterday. But they were very good about making announcements," said Linda Cuellar, 38, a San Antonio resident who was staying at the hotel.
The FDNY confirmed the alarm was under control just before 4 p.m.
