THE EMERGENCY services launched a large operation in the centre of Perth last night after a fire started in a prominent hotel.

Residents of the Salutation Hotel and nearby homes were evacuated soon after 9.40 as a fire had begun in a bedroom.

Three teams of firefighters attended the incident but quickly called for back up, including a breathing apparatus support unit based in Dundee.

Two floors of the hotel were smoke logged and the firefighters split into small teams to search the building.

No one was reported hurt last night as the Tayside Fire and Rescue Service personnel cut away affected timber and carried out a full inspection.

Police reported that significant tasks had to be taken to cordon off the area, at the eastern end of South Street, taping off large sections of pavement and setting up road diversions.