ROME (AP) – Two New Hampshire residents vacationing in Italy died in a fire Saturday at a luxury hotel.

The fire killed three people and forced the evacuation of tennis stars Andy Roddick, Marat Safin and other players in the Italian Open.

Paul Emile Busque, 59, and Bernice Mary Joan Busque, listed as living in Newington, were found dead in a hotel bathroom, apparently of smoke inhalation. Lori Nault of Hooksett said the pair were among a group of New Hampshire subcontractors who had won this trip to Italy from Harvey Industries for top sales performance.

The fire broke out at about 5:15 a.m. in Room 305 of the five-star Parco dei Principi hotel, police and fire officials said. Smoke and flames spread quickly throughout the floor and to other parts of the hotel.

One American man, from Georgia, died after he tried to escape the fire by shimmying down his balcony using a bedsheet and slipped, police official Giuseppe Andruzzi said at a news conference.

Italian officials said that none of the players was injured, although some, including Safin, had their equipment damaged.

AP-ES-05-02-04 1628EDT