A huge fire has broken out at a luxury hotel in central London, just one 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, as firefighters battled to contain the blaze.
The London Fire Brigade has dispatched about 120 fire fighters and 20 fire engines to the scene. It says it received more than 35 calls reporting the incident.
The cause of the fire, in William Street, was not immediately clear, an unnamed spokesperson said.
“We are aware that there is a fire at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, and that the fire brigade is at the hotel,” the spokesperson said.
“As the situation is still unfolding, we have no further details to share at this time, but will provide an update soon.”
Officials from the intercontinental hotel chain just recently announced the completion of a comprehensive renovation of the facility, saying it was “designed to confirm this historic hotel’s position as one of the best in the world”.
