Over 250 people were evacuated form a Protaras hotel after a fire started in one of the rooms on Friday night, said fire service spokesman Andreas Kettis.

The fire alarm went off at a five-storey hotel in Pernera area in Protaras around 8pm. Five fire engines rushed to the scene and spotted the fire was coming from a specific room in the second floor.

Some 255 hotel guests abandoned their rooms and were moved to an outdoor area.

Firefighters checked each of the 113 rooms for any stranded guests. Four people who had stayed behind in two separate rooms were safely transported outside.

The blaze was put under control after causing some damage to the room, Kettis tweeted.

An ambulance was also at the site as a precaution.

Authorities said on Saturday the fire started in an empty room and was caused by an electrical fault.