Smoke from a mechanical fire forced MontBleu to be evacuated Oct. 16. Photo Copyright 2015 Carolyn E. Wright

Hundreds of people were evacuated from MontBleu casino’s main floor Friday night when a fire started after an air handling unit burned out.

Many of the evacuees were all dressed up for the annual Soroptimist wine tasting fundraiser on Oct. 16.

“It was very calm and orderly. The party is continuing,” Brenda Knox, president of Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe, told Lake Tahoe News from the event.

The casino floor and convention center were cleared out for about 30 minutes.

“There were no injuries and no substantial damage to the property other than the unit,” Eric Guevin, Tahoe Douglas fire marshal, told Lake Tahoe News. “Quick response kept it to the unit of origin.”

Mechanical failure was determined to be the cause of the fire.

South Lake Tahoe firefighters also responded to the Stateline property.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report