Chiltern Firehouse closed after major fire prompts evacuation in London

Express Tribune

15-02-2025

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The Chiltern Firehouse, a renowned luxury hotel and celebrity-frequented restaurant in London, will remain closed until further notice following a significant fire that forced the evacuation of approximately 100 people on Friday afternoon.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) responded to the blaze at the Grade II-listed building on Chiltern Street, Marylebone, with 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines after receiving a 999 call.
The fire originated in the ducting on the ground floor and spread to the second and third floors, reaching the roof of the historic structure, which was originally built as one of London's first purpose-built fire stations.
Firefighters battled the blaze for six hours before bringing it under control. A firefighter on the scene indicated that the four-story hotel would likely require extensive refurbishment.
André Balazs, owner of the Chiltern Firehouse, confirmed that no injuries were reported and that the fire was "fully contained" "Our guests and staff safely evacuated," he stated.
The LFB has not yet determined the cause of the fire but commended the crews for successfully preventing it from spreading to neighboring buildings. Firefighters remained on-site overnight to monitor and extinguish any remaining hotspots.
Eyewitness accounts described thick smoke filling the streets, with some reports suggesting the fire began in the restaurant's kitchen. One witness noted that patrons, many dressed in formal attire, were left standing outside in the cold as the restaurant was evacuated. Another described visibility issues caused by dense smoke that spread across multiple streets.
Black smoke was seen billowing from the roof, prompting firefighters to use aerial platforms to direct water onto the flames. Videos shared on social media captured firefighters on cranes working to douse the fire as smoke poured from the upper floors.
Chiltern Firehouse, which opened in 2014, quickly became a well-known venue among celebrities.
Past guests have included Bill Clinton, Madonna, Naomi Campbell, Bono, David Cameron, Keira Knightley, and Lindsay Lohan. The restaurant has been described as a hotspot frequently photographed by paparazzi.
Balazs expressed gratitude to the emergency responders, highlighting that one of the firefighters attending the incident had been stationed at the building 30 years ago when it operated as a fire station. "I am truly grateful to all of them, as I am sure this was not the Valentine's Day evening they had planned," he said.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the fire's cause while the venue remains closed for assessment and restoration.