(Sept. 1, 2022) The historic Hotel Atlantic in Berlin sustained damage last week after an employee’s cigarette sparked a fire near the kitchen of the Victorian structure.

The Berlin Volunteer Fire Company responded to reports of smoke at the three-story building at 3:53 p.m.

When crews arrived, they reported smoke and fire coming from the kitchen area, but was contained to an area just below a window.

Rob Korb, the chief deputy fire marshal for Worcester County said on Tuesday that the fire was attributed to an employee’s cigarette that was resting on the window.

Korb said the hotel reopened two days after the fire, and the structure sustained approximately $20,000 worth of damage.

The Berlin firefighters were assisted by crews from Ocean City, Ocean Pines, Showell and Newark.

The hotel occupants, according to a release, were displaced for about an hour, or until the fire was under control.

The release also said the restaurant would remain closed for repairs, and the incident was referred to the Worcester County Department of Environmental Health for further action.