London: A fire erupted at the Chiltern Firehouse, a luxury hotel in Marylebone, forcing the evacuation of around 100 people on 14th of Feb, Friday.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) dispatched 20 fire engines and 125 firefighters to the scene, responding to the call at 2:52 PM.
The fire started in ducting and spread from the ground floor to the roof of the four-storey hotel, reaching the second and third floors. The hotel’s restaurant is located on the ground floor. Crews worked for several hours in challenging conditions to contain the fire, preventing it from spreading to neighbouring buildings.
While the blaze was under control by nightfall, firefighters remained on-site overnight to dampen hotspots. The cause remains unknown and is under investigation.
The £760-a-night hotel, a former Victorian fire station, is a well-known celebrity hotspot. It was set to host Netflix’s BAFTA Awards party on Sunday and has welcomed high-profile guests like Taylor Swift, Tom Cruise, and Kate Moss.
A cordon was established, restricting access to nearby streets. Owner Andre Balazs, who also owns Hollywood’s Chateau Marmont, confirmed there were no injuries and expressed gratitude to firefighters.
In a statement, Balazs noted that one of the responders had previously been stationed there 30 years ago when the building was an operational fire station.
Balazs stated that the venue would remain closed until further notice, with extensive repairs expected. A firefighter at the scene remarked, “The hotel will likely need a large refurbishment.”
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