Two units from the Armidale station attended the scene, along with paramedics and police officers.

The firemen attended to a fire in the hotel's roof. There were no flames visible from street level, but the smell of smoke was distinct from the footpath next to the Armidale Post Office, across the road.

Fire officers wearing breathing apparatus entered the building to investigate the suspected outbreak.

The issue was quickly dealt with and brigade members were on scene for less than an hour, while paramedics and police were not needed.