Authorities say a car hit a gas meter, setting off an explosion that caused part of a Lexington hotel to collapse.
Investigators say the Fairfield Inn in Beaumont Centre was severely damaged Sunday night, but there were no serious injuries. Authorities say a driver in the parking lot apparently lurched forward, hitting a gas meter, causing the leak. Battalion Chief Joe Best said the explosion came about 10 minutes later.
Several cars were damaged and were underneath the rubble. The hotel's assistant general manager, Debbie Tyler, said she raced through halls knocking on doors to get guests out. Gas and electricity to the building were cut off. All the guests were moved to other hotels.