A late-morning fire Saturday forced the evacuation of a downtown Eau Claire hotel for nearly three hours.

The Eau Claire Fire Department responded to a call for a fire shortly after 10 a.m. Saturday at the eight-story Ramada Inn on South Barstow Street.

Firefighters say the fire started in a 2nd floor hotel room, forcing the evacuation of about 150 people.

A firefighter hurt his hand while fighting the blaze, but had returned back to work by Saturday evening.

The department estimates the fire caused about $75,000 worth of smoke and water damage to the hotel.

"The sprinkler did its job and contained the fire to that one room,” Deputy Chief David Gee said. “Had that not been the case if this had not been a sprinkler building it could have been a much more serious fire."

The fire is still under investigation, but firefighter say it appears to be accidental.