Hilton hotel sustains unknown level of damage

The Hilton Millenium, which is next to the World Trade Center at 55 Church Street, has sustained an unknown level of damage following its evacuation yesterday.

The 15-storey, 463-bedroom Embassy Suites hotel in nearby Battery Park was evacuated and Hilton was unable to confirm speculation about an explosion at or near the hotel.

Hilton said that it had received no reports of injuries from guests or employees from either premises.

The Doubletree hotel in Times Square is open.

The Embassy Suites Crystal City in Washington DC has been taken over by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and guests have been moved to other hotels in the area.

The Doubletree National Airport Hotel in Washington was damaged by smoke but 50 bedrooms remain open.

Stephen Bollenbach, president and chief executive officer of Hilton Hotels, said: "While we are thankful that at this time there appear to be no injuries to our guests and employees at our hotels in the affected areas of New York and Washington, our thoughts are with those suffering as a result of these events."

The company said it would not impose cancellation or no-show fees for any reservations between 11-16 September. Nor will early departure charges be imposed.

No cancellation charges or penalties will be imposed for any group, social or other event between 11 September and 31 October.