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Cause Of Days Inn 4-Alarm Fire Under Investigation

CATONSVILLE, Md. (WJZ)—Investigators are making headway in Saturday night's multi-million dollar hotel fire.

Adam May reports they've determined where it started, but how remains a mystery.

One hundred and sixty guests at the Days Inn off Baltimore National Pike in Catonsville scrambled for safety during a four-alarm fire Saturday night.

"I was freaking out, shaking.  I got nervous," said Natalia Moran, a hotel guest.  "There was smoke; you couldn't breathe."

Now investigators determine the fire started in a locked storage room on the seventh floor.  They've ruled out an accidental ignition from a cigarette, but they don't know the exact cause yet.

Two guests were treated for smoke inhalation and the hotel suffered $3.5 million in damage.

"We were coming down here for a vacation to enjoy ourselves, but we ended up coming to a burned-out hotel," said Nathan Moody.

Guests like Moody, who brought his family to Baltimore to see the National Aquarium, were allowed back into the hotel to pick up their belongings Sunday morning.  Many were upset they weren't offered more help in finding a new hotel.

"We watched it all from across the street," said one guest.  "We were disappointed they didn't put us up somewhere or direct us somewhere."

One firefighter was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

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