An overheated motor in a heating-system fan caused a smoky smell that led managers to evacuate Hotel Alex Johnson on Tuesday evening. The fire department responded with several fire trucks that blocked off Sixth Street for about a half-hour around 6 p.m., but no flames were seen, and no one was in danger, battalion chief Mike Holmes said.

He said the hotel's sprinkler system is up-to-date.

The evacuation brought travelers from around the country out onto the sidewalk, where they milled around and watched the firefighters work.

Derek Luster of California, who is in town for a conference, said he was in his room, talking to his wife on the phone, when he heard sirens and looked out the window to watch the fire trucks go by. He was surprised when they stopped.

"I was like, 'Oh no, that's us,'" he said.

His fellow conferencegoer, Bob McClure of Ohio, made the best of it, standing on the sidewalk sipping what was left of a pint.

The colleagues were headed to Deadwood, where they hoped for better luck.