US actor Henry Winkler has praised Dublin Fire Brigade for its efforts in dealing with a small fire in the Shelbourne Hotel earlier today.

The hotel on St. Stephen's Green was quickly evacuated after a fire broke out on the fifth floor.

Thank you Dublin ‘s fire department … our hotel was evacuated on our first morning !!! pic.twitter.com/kyByb5VSoM

— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) June 12, 2024

Firefighters quickly responded to the call at 10:30am and worked for an hour and a half to get the fire under control. There were no injuries and staff and guests were allowed to re-enter the hotel around midday.

Speaking to RTÉ outside the Shelbourne, Winkler - who is currently staying at the hotel - praised the firefighters and emergency services.

“How wonderful. Firemen are some of my favourite human beings," the TV star said.

"Firemen and firewomen, they run in when other people are running out. I think they deserve to be shook," he said, after he shaking many of their hands.

The Barry actor also gave an account of what happened this morning, stating: “When I heard the fire alarm I thought it was the clock radio. I thought somebody had set the alarm before we got there, like another guest.

“And finally I went into another room and it was still buzzing so I called downstairs and the woman said in a very calm voice – ‘yes we’re all evacuating, you must evacuate right now!’ And I left.”

Dublin Fire Brigade issued a statement afterwards, saying: "Six fire engines from Tara Street, Donnybrook and Dolphins Barn fire stations responded to the incident and firefighters located the fire on the 5th floor of the building,

Firefighters were called to a fire in a premises on St Stephen's Green at 1038 this morning

The fire is under control with an effective evacuation helping enormously

Six fire engines including a turntable ladder and emergency tender remain on scene

Traffic restrictions in area pic.twitter.com/qaTLfT4M9u

— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) June 12, 2024

Winkler - who is best known for playing Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli in the smash-hit '70s sitcom Happy Days - is currently in Ireland for his one-man show, The Fonz and Beyond, which takes places tonight in the National Concert Hall.