Fire breaks out at Chiltern Firehouse two days before Netflix BAFTA party

Around 100 people have been evacuated after a fire broke out at a luxury London hotel.

Twenty fire engines and around 125 firefighters were on the scene at the Chiltern Firehouse, near Baker Street.

London Fire Brigade said it was called out at 2.52pm on Friday - with the cause so far unknown.

The blaze at the hotel was under control on Friday night but was still going on at a building next door.

The £760-a-night venue was due to host Netflix's BAFTA Awards party on Sunday.

The Firehouse's bar and restaurant are popular with British stars, as well as celebrities visiting the capital.

Taylor Swift chose it for a night out after finishing her Wembley shows last year, while the likes of Tom Cruise and Kate Moss have also been spotted over the years.

However, it's now likely to remain shut for some time and need extensive repairs.

Speaking on Friday evening, one firefighter said: "It's completely under control in there now, but the hotel is probably going to need a large refurbishment."

An earlier brigade statement said the fire was in "ducting which leads from the ground floor to the roof" and that a "plant room at roof level is also alight".

A cordon preventing access from nearby streets was in place around the hotel, located in the upmarket Marylebone area of central London.

Owner Andre Balazs, who also has Hollywood's Chateau Marmont in his portfolio, confirmed no one had been hurt and thanked firefighters.

"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," he said in a statement.

"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."

He said the cause was under investigation and the venue would be closed until further notice.

(c) Sky News 2025: Fire breaks out at Chiltern Firehouse two days before Netflix BAFTA party