A significant fire broke out at the Chiltern Firehouse, a renowned hotel and restaurant in London, on Friday. The fire began in the ducting system and swiftly spread from the ground floor to the roof of the historic four-storey building. Firefighters received the first report of the blaze just before 15:00 GMT and managed to bring it under control shortly after 20:00. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, though an extensive investigation is now underway.
The Chiltern Firehouse, occupying a site that once housed a Victorian fire station built in 1889, has become a high-profile venue since its opening in 2013. The establishment features 26 suites and a 200-seat restaurant. On the day of the fire, about 100 guests were evacuated from the premises as scores of firefighters from multiple stations worked tirelessly for over five hours to combat the flames. Videos circulating on social media captured dramatic scenes of firefighters using cranes to extinguish the fire that had engulfed the top of the building.
In response to the incident, hotel owner Andre Balazs has announced that the Chiltern Firehouse will "remain closed until further notice." The closure has also affected planned events, including the Bafta Film Awards afterparty. Initially scheduled to be held at the Chiltern Firehouse, the afterparty has been relocated to The Twenty Two, a luxury hotel situated in London's Mayfair district.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into the incident. Emergency services have commended the swift evacuation efforts that ensured all guests and staff were safely removed from the premises without harm.
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