Celebrity hotspot Chiltern Firehouse closed indefinitely after huge blaze rips through London hotel

A famous five-star hotel in central London known as a celebrity hotspot is closed indefinitely after a huge blaze broke out.

The London Fire Brigade said 20 fire engines carrying around 125 firefighters were scrambled to the blaze in Marylebone just before 3pm on Friday.

Footage on social media showed firefighters seeking to extinguish a vast blaze at the Chiltern Firehouse – a luxury hotel housed in a former fire station dating back to the 1880s.

The Grade II-listed venue, which features an award-winning restaurant, was reportedly packed with customers ahead of Valentine’s Day service when smoke was spotted.

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Around 100 people evacuated the building before the emergency services arrived, according to the fire service, which said the cause of the blaze was not yet known.

A fire service spokesperson said: “There is a fire in ducting which leads from the ground floor to the roof of the four-storey hotel with a restaurant on the ground floor. A plant room at roof level is also alight.”

One witness told The Times: “The restaurant was emptied and there are lots of very glamorous people milling around outside, shivering. They were very smartly dressed and I don’t think they expected to be waiting in the cold.

“One couple had a blanket wrapped around them. They said the fire started in the kitchen and then went upstairs. You can smell the smoke outside but I did not see any flames.”

Originally built in 1889, the building historically served as the Marylebone Fire Station and is now owned by American hotelier Andre Balazs, who also runs the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles.

Having opened in 2013 and featuring 26 suites, the hotel is often frequented by A-list celebrities and royals, such as Prince Harry, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise and Rihanna.

According to reports, actors Mark Ruffalo and Morena Baccarin, and footballer Jack Grealish, were among those to visit the Chiltern Firehouse on Thursday.

One witness described the scene as “crazy”.

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Guy Fischman, 23, from Richmond, south-west London, was leaving his workplace near Bond Street when he said he saw “the whole street full of smoke”.

The fire brigade said crews had been deployed from Euston, Soho, Paddington, West Hampstead, Kensington and Chelsea as they fought to get the blaze under control.

A firefighter at the scene later said: “It's completely under control in there now, but the hotel is probably going to need a large refurbishment.

“I don't think anyone was injured because of the evacuation earlier.”

The hotel's owner Andre Balazs said the venue, which an employee at the scene confirmed had been due to host a Bafta party on Sunday, would remain closed until further notice.

He said: “Earlier this evening, a fire broke out at Chiltern Firehouse. We are grateful to confirm that no one was hurt, and our guests and staff safely evacuated. The fire has now been fully contained.

“It is with heartfelt gratitude and appreciation that we watched a remarkable 120 firefighters from over 14 stations rapidly descend on what they told me was a hugely sentimental building for so many of them.

“We know in fact one of those who rushed to the Chiltern Firehouse this evening had been stationed in the building when it was a fire station 30 years ago. I am truly grateful to all of them as I am sure that this is not the Valentine's Day evening they had in mind.

“As of now, as this is still a live situation we do not have confirmation of what may have caused the fire, but the fire services are investigating.

“In the meantime, the Chiltern Firehouse will remain closed until further notice.”