A GUEST caught up in a hotel fire has told of the moment the alarm echoed down the corridor and people started to frantically "knock" on their door.
Sona Csokova and Roman Pokorny, who were staying at Cartwright Hotel as they searched for somewhere to rent, rushed down to the first floor.
Read more: Everything we know so far about the Cartwright Hotel fire
They recall the chaos as a woman suffered a panic attack and watched as the owner opened a door to what they describe as a "fire ball", causing burns to his face and neck.
Roman, who was only three metres away from the door, felt some of his hair burn off and remembers feeling the heat from the flames.
The pair, who said they felt "shock", managed to get outside when they saw the windows shatter from the heat.
Explaining her emotions at the time, Sona told the Telegraph and Argus: "Shock, in very big shock.
"We've only t-shirts, no jacket. Three hours outside."
All the guests took refuge in Lister Park after they were evacuated.
The Park Hotel, just a few doors down, offered cups of tea and coffee as well as free rooms for those caught up in the incident.
Jaran Mahmood, landlord of The Park Hotel and the owner's son, was one of those providing comfort for the other hotel's guests.
Jaran told the Telegraph & Argus: "I said, 'Don't worry, we'll give you a room for free' and helped them (all the guests), gave them tea or coffee.
"They were a bit stressed out. They were panicking. They didn't know what to do."
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