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Mandarin Oriental fire: Blaze at Knightsbridge hotel Mandarin Oriental: Huge blaze at Knightsbridge hotel
(about 2 hours 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 broke 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 were seen rising from the five-star Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge just before 16:00 BST.
A total of 36 hotel guests and 250 members of hotel staff were evacuated. A total of 36 hotel guests and 250 members of hotel staff were evacuated - singer Robbie Williams was among them.
The blaze reached several floors after spreading across "a vertical facade" containing plants, it is thought. The blaze reached several floors but was quickly extinguished, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.
About 120 firefighters and 20 engines were sent to the scene in William Street, and "quickly extinguished" the blaze, the London Fire Brigade said. At the height of the fire about 120 firefighters and 20 engines were sent to the the 12-storey building in William Street, near Hyde Park.
The cause of the fire is not yet known and firefighters are likely to remain at the scene through the night, a spokesperson said. The cause of the fire is not yet known and firefighters are likely to remain at the scene through the night, a LFB spokesperson said.
Both the ambulance service and the Met Police also attended, although there were no reports of any injuries. Both the ambulance service and the Met Police attended, although there were no reports of any injuries.
After the blaze broke out on the roof, staff and guests were evacuated from the 12-storey building to nearby Hyde Park. 'Billows and billows'
Smell 'horrendous' Robbie Williams, 44, described the drama on Instagram: "I went on the balcony and looked up and there was just billows and billows of smoke.
"I came back in from the balcony and said, 'The hotel's on fire,' and then the next thing a knock at the door came and there was a bellboy there and they said, 'Get out'."
Williams and his wife Ayda Field, 39, ran down an external fire escape to safety.
One hotel worker, who asked not to be named, said: "The fire alarm started and everybody was told to get outside.One hotel worker, 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."
Penelope Evans, 50, from Battersea, south London, was shopping in Harrods when she noticed the thick smoke.Penelope Evans, 50, from Battersea, south London, was shopping in Harrods when she noticed the thick smoke.
"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.
Ms Evans added: "It was like people were in shock, everyone immediately just started leaving the street and the area.Ms Evans added: "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 is visiting from Las Vegas, spoke of his shock at seeing a historic building in flames.Tourist Eric Bantug, who is 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. Knightsbridge was closed between Sloane Street and Grosvenor Place and a number of nearby buildings, including high-end department store Harvey Nichols, were also evacuated.
"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.
Patients and staff were evacuated from the 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.Patients and staff were evacuated from the 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.
Transport for London said the blaze was also affecting entry to and exit from Knightsbridge station. Princess Anne had been scheduled to attend a 50th Anniversary Dinner of the Blues and Royals Club at the hotel.
It tweeted: "Currently the Sloane Street entrance at the station is closed.
"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.
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.
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