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| Mandarin Oriental fire: Blaze at Knightsbridge hotel | Mandarin Oriental fire: Blaze at Knightsbridge hotel |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A huge fire has broken out at a luxury hotel in central London a week after "the most extensive restoration in its 115-year history" was completed. | A huge fire has broken out at a luxury hotel in central London a week after "the most extensive restoration in its 115-year history" was completed. |
| Plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the five-star Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge after firefighters were called just before 16:00 BST. | Plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the five-star Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge after firefighters were called just before 16:00 BST. |
| About 120 firefighters and 20 engines have been sent to the scene in William Street, London Fire Brigade said. | About 120 firefighters and 20 engines have been sent to the scene in William Street, London Fire Brigade said. |
| The cause of the fire is not yet known, a spokesperson confirmed. | The cause of the fire is not yet known, a spokesperson confirmed. |
| Both the ambulance service and the Met Police are also attending the scene, although there are no reports of any injuries, the fire brigade said. | Both the ambulance service and the Met Police are also attending the scene, although there are no reports of any injuries, the fire brigade said. |
| After the blaze broke out, staff were evacuated from the 12-storey building to Hyde Park, where they were given bottles of water. | After the blaze broke out, staff were evacuated from the 12-storey building to Hyde Park, where they were given bottles of water. |
| Smell 'horrendous' | Smell 'horrendous' |
| One, who asked not to be named, said: "The fire alarm started and everybody was told to get outside. | One, who asked not to be named, said: "The fire alarm started and everybody was told to get outside. |
| "Everything's fine but we don't know how it started yet." | "Everything's fine but we don't know how it started yet." |
| Dozens of witnesses were in Knightsbridge, home to the Harrods department store, when the fire started. | Dozens of witnesses were in Knightsbridge, home to the Harrods department store, when the fire started. |
| Penelope Evans, 50, from Battersea, south London, was shopping in Harrods when she noticed the thick smoke as she was leaving. | 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. | "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. | "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. | "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." | "After Grenfell, I feel like people are a lot more on edge about these things, people just wanted to get out." |
| At the scene | |
| Charlotte Gallagher, BBC News | |
| It is a much calmer scene now than when those dramatic plumes of smoke began rising up the sky. | |
| We don't know how the fire started, but we do believe it was either on the roof or on the upper floors at the hotel. | |
| When I arrived, firefighters were on long extension ladders pouring water into the top of the hotel. | |
| It is believed builders were on the roof of the hotel before the fire started. | |
| Tourist Eric Bantug, who was visiting from Las Vegas, spoke of his shock at seeing a historic building in flames. | Tourist Eric Bantug, who was visiting from Las Vegas, spoke of his shock at seeing a historic building in flames. |
| The 47-year-old financial services worker, said: "I was just coming up from the Tube and smelled the fire. I could smell burning. | The 47-year-old financial services worker, said: "I was just coming up from the Tube and smelled the fire. I could smell burning. |
| "When I got up above ground I saw all the smoke coming out of the building. | "When I got up above ground I saw all the smoke coming out of the building. |
| "It's pretty old and it's a shame to see it happen." | "It's pretty old and it's a shame to see it happen." |
| 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". | 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". |
| 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. | 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." | "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 and a number of nearby buildings, including high-end department store Harvey Nichols, were also evacuated. | Knightsbridge has been closed between Sloane Street and Grosvenor Place and a number of nearby buildings, including high-end department store Harvey Nichols, were also evacuated. |
| Patients and staff were evacuated from W One cosmetic clinic next door to the hotel, according to Dr Terry Loong who said she and her team were ordered to leave the premises at about 16:00 by the London Fire Brigade. | Patients and staff were evacuated from W One cosmetic clinic next door to the hotel, according to Dr Terry Loong who said she and her team were ordered to leave the premises at about 16:00 by the London Fire Brigade. |
| Everything 'is fine' | Everything 'is fine' |
| Transport for London said the blaze was also affecting entry to and exit from Knightsbridge station. | 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. | It tweeted: "Knightsbridge: currently the Sloane Street entrance at the station is closed. |
| "Customers are advised to use the Harrods entrance." | "Customers are advised to use the Harrods entrance." |
| Princess Anne had been scheduled to attend a 50th Anniversary Dinner of the Blues and Royals Club at the hotel later. | Princess Anne had been scheduled to attend a 50th Anniversary Dinner of the Blues and Royals Club at the hotel later. |
| The Mandarin Oriental has previously been used by the Royal Family, including an event for British and foreign royals hosted by the Queen on the eve of Prince William's wedding in 2011. | The Mandarin Oriental has previously been used by the Royal Family, including an event for British and foreign royals hosted by the Queen on the eve of Prince William's wedding in 2011. |
| Are you in the area? If it is safe to do so, please get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in the area? If it is safe to do so, please get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |