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By Jordan King
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Some people were evacuated at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos after a fire alarm was triggered at the convention, because of smoke from a fire at a nearby hotel, Davos authorities confirmed to Newsweek.
A wooden hut outside the Victoria Tower Hotel, near the main venue for the WEF, caught fire on Wednesday, which caused "heavy smoke." A fire alarm was triggered at a tent on the roof of the convention center and around 15 people were evacuated "as a precaution," the Municipality of Davos said in a statement.
A White House official said the incident did not affect President Donald Trump, who had left the center at 9:14 p.m. local time, CBS News senior White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs said on X.
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Newsweek has contacted the White House, via email outside of normal working hours, for comment.
Why It Matters
The brief evacuation temporarily disrupted one of the highest-profile global gatherings of political and business leaders, drawing attention to venue safety and emergency protocols during a week already defined by contentious policy debates and a high-stakes speech by the U.S. president.
What To Know
Victoria Tower Hotel was also evacuated after the wooden hut caught fire—no one was inside when the flames erupted.
When the fire alarm at the convention center was triggered, "firefighters stationed directly at the convention center responded immediately," Davos municipality said.
"However, the suspicion of smoke was not confirmed, and no fire was found," it added. "Based on this finding, it was decided not to evacuate the convention center. A further inspection on Thursday morning also revealed no signs of a fire."
The World Economic Forum also confirmed to Newsweek that a "minor incident involving smoke in Davos that was quickly brought under control."
Fox Business White House correspondent Edward Lawrence posted about the evacuation on Wednesday night, sharing footage of people being directed out of the building on X with the caption: "We have just been evacuated from the Congress Center. Emergency crews trying to determine what is causing a smell that is making some people in our area cough."
The evacuation was over within an hour after the smell was checked out by fire crews, Lawrence said.
No injuries have been reported.
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump used his Davos address to sharply criticize European leaders over economic, immigration and energy policies, remarks delivered to an international audience gathered to discuss the global economy.
Things were tense against the backdrop of Trump’s push to acquire Greenland and subsequent threats of tariffs on U.S. allies that oppose his plans.
What People Are Saying
The Municipality of Davos said in a statement, referring to the evacuation of the center and the hotel: "It is gratifying to note that the alarm system and the deployment of the fire department worked very well in both cases."
The World Economic Forum told Newsweek: "We are aware of last night minor incident involving smoke in Davos that was quickly brought under control. Participants' safety has been at all times guaranteed and is always a core priority. We were in close coordination with local authorities and emergency services, who confirmed that the incident was quickly resolved."
What Happens Next
Local fire authorities completed inspections and allowed people back into the Congress Center after determining there was no ongoing threat.
Organizers and local officials had not announced additional security changes or schedule alterations.
Update 1/22/26 7:42 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with information and comment from the Municipality of Davos and the World Economic Forum.
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