This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-44389565

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Huge fire breaks out at Knightsbridge Mandarin Oriental Mandarin Oriental fire: Blaze at Knightsbridge hotel
(35 minutes later)
A huge fire has broken out at a luxury hotel in in central London. A huge fire has broken out at a luxury hotel in central London a week after the completion of "the most extensive restoration in its 115-year history".
Plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the five-star Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge after firefighters were called just before 16:00.Plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the five-star Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge after firefighters were called just before 16:00.
London Fire Brigade, which has dispatched about 100 firefighters and 15 engines, said it received more than 35 calls about the incident. About 120 firefighters and 20 engines had been sent to the scene in William Street, London Fire Brigade said.
A spokesperson said the cause of the fire, in William Street, was not yet known. The cause of the fire is not yet known, a spokesperson confirmed.
Knightsbridge has been closed between Sloane Street and Grosvenor Place. There are no reports of any injuries, the fire service said. Bosses of the international hotel chain recently announced the end of renovation work "designed to confirm this historic hotel's position as one of the best in the world".
'Smell was horrendous'
A spokesman said: "We are aware that there is a fire at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, and that the fire brigade is at the hotel.
"As the situation is still unfolding, we have no further details to share at this time, but will provide an update soon."
Knightsbridge has been closed between Sloane Street and Grosvenor Place.
The ambulance service and the Met Police are also attending the scene, although there are no reports of any injuries, the fire service said.
Penelope Evans, 50, from Battersea, south London, was shopping in Harrods when she noticed the thick smoke as she was leaving.
"I saw all this black smoke coming from the sky, it was covering everything and the smell was horrendous," she said.
"It was like people were in shock, everyone immediately just started leaving the street and the area.
"There were hundreds of fire engines, ambulances, police racing by and helicopters overhead.
"After Grenfell, I feel like people are a lot more on edge about these things, people just wanted to get out."
The 12-storey Mandarin Oriental has previously been used by the Royal Family.
The Queen hosted an event for British and foreign royals the night before Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge got married in 2011.
Transport for London said the blaze was also affecting entry to and exit from Knightsbridge station.
It tweeted: "Knightsbridge: currently the Sloane Street entrance at the station is closed.
"Customers are advised to use the Harrods entrance."