Odor inside Clarion Hotel causes guests to feel ill, cough

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids firefighters were sent to the Clarion Hotel and Convention Center Tuesday after an odor in the lobby of the hotel made guests feel ill and cough, public safety spokesperson Greg Buelow said.

The Cedar Rapids Fire Department arrived at the Clarion Hotel, 525 33rd Ave. SW, at about 12:30 p.m. and members of the department's hazardous materials team remain on the scene this afternoon, attempting to identify the source of the odor, Buelow said.

'Several guests were asked to leave the inside of the hotel and wait in the parking lot as firefighters walked each floor of the hotel and used gas monitors to attempt to identify any hazardous substances,” Buelow said.

No hazardous substances were located and everyone was allowed to re-enter the hotel after about 90 minutes.

The hotel has since been ventilated so the odor is less apparent, Buelow said.

No one who felt ill at the hotel required medical transport.

Clarion Hotel management declined to comment when contacted by The Gazette.

l Comments: (319) 368-8516; makayla.tendall@thegazette.com