A devastating fire tore through a hotel in Marylebone on Friday afternoon, destroying the roof and upper floors of the historic building.
The blaze, which started in a ground-floor restaurant on Chiltern Street, quickly spread to the roof via ducting, prompting a massive emergency response from the London Fire Brigade (LFB).
Firefighters Battle the Blaze
Twenty fire engines and around 125 firefighters were deployed to tackle the inferno, which engulfed the third floor and roof of the four-storey hotel. Parts of the second floor and a section of the ground floor were also damaged.
The London Fire Brigade’s Drone Team was brought in to assist incident commanders with an aerial view, while two 32-metre turntable ladders were used to fight the fire from above.
Evacuation and Response
Assistant Commissioner Paul McCourt, who led the emergency response, praised firefighters for their efforts in containing the fire.
“Crews worked incredibly hard for over eight hours in arduous conditions. Presented with a complex fire in a historically significant building, formerly Manchester Square Fire Station, firefighters successfully contained the fire to one property, preventing it from spreading to neighbouring properties.
A total of 100 people evacuated the building before firefighters arrived, and no injuries have been reported.
Firefighters remained on the scene overnight and into Saturday, damping down hotspots and ensuring the fire was fully extinguished.
Cause of the Fire
Fire investigators have determined that the fire was accidental, caused by burning wood from a pizza oven that fell and ignited a void between the basement and ground floor.
Emergency Response
The first emergency call was received at 2:52 PM, and 13 calls were logged about the fire. Firefighters from Euston, Soho, Paddington, West Hampstead, Kensington, Chelsea, and surrounding stations responded to the scene.
By the time the fire was brought under control at 8:07 PM, a staggering 63 fire engines, 23 special appliances, and 25 officers had attended the incident.
Investigation and Aftermath
Authorities are now assessing the structural stability of the historic hotel, while fire safety officers continue investigations to prevent future occurrences.
The London Fire Brigade is urging businesses with wood-burning ovens to ensure proper maintenance and fire safety procedures are in place.
