London hotel fire: Firefighters tackle huge blaze at Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge - as it happened
Building underwent 'extensive restoration' that ended just last month
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A huge fire that broke out at a luxury hotel in Knightsbridge, central London, was tackled by more than 120 firefighters.
Staff and guests of the Mandarin Oriental were evacuated and a column of thick black smoke thrown up by the blaze in its upper levels was widely visible.
London Fire Brigade said it was a “very large fire” but the London Ambulance Service later tweeted that its paramedics had "not treated any patients" and they remained on the scene as a "precaution".
For all the updates as they happened, read our live blog from the afternoon below.
The building underwent an “extensive restoration” ending late last month and costing several million pounds, its owner company Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group said in May.
The hotel is connected to the prestigious One Hyde Park development, which has the most expensive addresses in London.
Apartments there have been known to go on the market for as much as £75m and guests can use the facilities at the neighbouring hotel, including the private cinema.
They can also order room service from Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant Dinner.
A police source has told The Independent they do not believe anyone is trapped inside the hotel.
Flames and smoke can no longer be seen at the hotel.
People in hi-vis clothing are working on the roof, Josh Withey reports from the scene at the corner of Knightsbridge and Albert Gate.
This is the scene outside the Mandarin Oriental Hotel as it appears currently (Josh Withey/The Independent)
That concludes our live coverage of the fire in Knightsbridge. Thanks for reading.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments