Civil Defence has said its firefighters quickly brought a blaze at a hotel in West Bay under control this afternoon.

Residents reported seeing smoke billowing from the top of the 19-story Retaj Al Rayyan Hotel around 3:20pm, but said it appeared to have stopped less than half an hour later.

However, Civil Defence said on Twitter that the “simple” fire occurred in the hotel’s basement, adding that no one was injured.

A spokesperson for the property said all guests and employees had been safely evacuated and that the cause of the fire was not known.

Civil Defence said the building would remain closed until officials deem it safe for guests to re-enter.

Does anyone know more? Thoughts?