An electrical vault fire broke out early Wednesday morning in the West Loop area of Chicago, leading to the evacuation of the SoHo House Chicago hotel, according to the city's fire department. The incident occurred around 4:02 a.m., near the intersection of Green Street and Randolph Street.

Hotel guests were awakened by an announcement over the loudspeakers shortly before 6 a.m., instructing them to vacate the building due to a fire emergency. Michael Worrall, a guest at the hotel, described the situation as "madness" and expressed his fear due to the proximity of the fire to the front of the building.

The incident escalated to a level-two hazardous materials situation, requiring approximately 60 firefighters to respond to the scene. The fire was quickly extinguished, and fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The Chicago Fire Department initiated an evacuation of about 40 individuals from the six-story SoHo House building due to an underground electrical fire. Heavy flames were observed emanating from the underground vault, with firefighters working diligently to contain and extinguish the blaze.

Second District Chief Robert Jurewicz of the Chicago Fire Department provided details on the incident, stating that the flames were approximately 30 feet long and located about 15 feet underground. The electrical vault has been de-energized; however, power outages have affected the surrounding area as a result.

Scott Kadish, a guest at the Soho House hotel, had a memorable business trip experience when he was abruptly awakened by the evacuation order. He described a "huge explosion" and observed flames and billowing smoke outside the front of the hotel. After being allowed back into the building, Kadish prepared to return home to Cincinnati.

However, members of Soho House were not permitted entry alongside the hotel guests. Alberto Morales, a Soho House member, was informed that the establishment was not open and was advised to check back later for updates.

Hotel guest Robert Watkins reported hearing a loud explosion followed by a fire alarm. He commended the hotel's staff for their swift response in evacuating guests safely. Watkins described a scene with flames shooting up from a manhole cover on the street and heavy smoke filling the air. Fire crews were on site investigating the cause of their equipment failure and working to restore power as soon as possible.

Firefighters expressed their gratitude for being able to control the fire before it caused further damage to the building. Chief Jurewicz acknowledged that if the power had not been cut off, it would have been challenging to apply water to extinguish the blaze within the electrical vault.

As of now, it remains uncertain when all patrons will be allowed back into the hotel. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation by authorities. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with electrical fires and their impact on surrounding structures and occupants.