London's Chiltern Firehouse evacuated after blaze breaks out
A fire at the popular celebrity venue Chiltern Firehouse in London forced about 100 people to evacuate on Friday lunchtime.
The London fire brigade (LFB) said 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines attended the blaze at the restaurant and luxury hotel on Chiltern Street in Marylebone after a 999 call was made at 2.52pm.
An LFB spokesperson said they were fighting fire in 'ducting which leads from the ground floor to the roof of the four storey hotel. A plant room at roof level is also alight. The cause of the fire is not yet known.'
The restaurant is on the ground floor of the building, one of London's first purpose-built fire stations, and an eyewitness said they had been told the fire had 'started in the kitchen' and then 'went upstairs'.
'The restaurant was emptied and there are lots of very glamorous people milling around outside, shivering,' the witness added. 'They were very smartly dressed and I don't think they expected to be waiting in the cold … You can smell the smoke outside but I did not see any flames.'
Crews of firefighters from across London were deployed to the scene, including from Euston, Kensington and Chelsea, Paddington, Soho and West Hampstead fire stations.
By 5.30pm, around two hours after the fire started, thick black smoke was billowing from the roof and firefighters began using an aerial platform to pump water on to the area.
Shortly after it opened in 2014, the restaurant was reported to be 'single-handedly feeding the celebrity sections of the tabloids', a place where paparazzi 'loll and glower, ready to pounce on the luminaries who swarm [there] like candle-crazed moths'. It was given 5/10 for value for money and 7/10 for food by restaurant reviewer Marina O'Loughlin, and described as a place that 'seems to be almost permanently accessorised by Kate Moss'.
Bill Clinton, Bono, David Cameron, Keira Knightley and Lindsay Lohan have been photographed at the venue in the past. Madonna and Naomi Campbell are also among its celebrated clientele.
The venue, which was opened by the American hotelier André Balazs, was contacted for comment.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Kerry Katona found love on Celebs Go Dating after heartbreak as age gap shared
Former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona, 44, confirmed her break-up from Ryan Mahoney, 36, in November last year but it's claimed she's now found love again Kerry Katona had reportedly found love on Celebs Go Dating after her split from ex Ryan Mahoney last year. The former Atomic Kitten singer, 44, confirmed her break-up from Ryan, 36, in November last year. He then moved out of their shared house, bringing to an end their six-year romance. After her split, she enjoyed a holiday in Thailand, where she said she had experienced a "real spiritual awakening". She recently said about her single life: "I'm not heartbroken anymore and feel like I know that Ryan wasn't the one for me." And now, it has been reported she has moved on with a personal trainer, Paolo Margaglione. According to reports, Paolo is 33 and "neither of them is bothered by the age-gap" "Kerry looks better than most women half her age at the moment, and is young at heart," a source told The Sun. "Paolo thinks she's super sexy and has told all his mates that he is the lucky one. "Meanwhile, Kerry loves the fact that she has a younger man again." The Mirror have reached out to Kerry's reps for comment. According to his social media page, Paolo is a father of two who works as an online personal trainer. After her holiday in Thailand, Kerry revealed to New Magazine: "I'm now working on creating my own relaxation package here at The Beach Samui Hotel, where people will be able to book a week-long holiday. "I'm a single woman and am in the best relationship of my life, which is with myself. I know people do things like dry January and diets, but I don't drink much anyway and like to work on myself every day, so I'm not into any of that." Earlier in the year, Kerry hinted that the split wasn't just due to a 'breach of trust' as she seemingly revealed there to be more behind their decision. Taking to Instagram, she shared a cryptic video, stating that people shouldn't settle for another individual who makes you "guess where you stand with them." The TikTok clip, originally posted by American date and relationship coach Natalie Bell, hints at relationships being one sided. In the clip, Natalie said: "I hope you never settle for somebody who makes you guess where you stand with them. I hope you find somebody who never makes you question your worth, or wonder if you're asking for too much, and who never makes you feel like they're half in, half out. "I hope you find somebody whose actions are match up with their words. Who makes you feel like love isn't just a guessing game or a battle? You have to continue to fight to be chosen. I hope they not only treasure you when things are going well, and it's easy to love each other. I hope they choose to charter you even when life gets hard. "I hope you get to be with somebody who makes you feel like you're their favourite thing. I hope you never have to sit awake at night overanalysing, overthinking, and ruminating over something that they said."
Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- Powys County Times
David Beckham ‘immensely proud' over knighthood award in King's Birthday Honours
David Beckham says he is 'immensely proud' to have been awarded a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours. For the last 30 years Sir David has transcended football to become one of the most recognisable faces on the planet, and his services to sport and to charity have now led to him being honoured. Beckham, who turned 50 last month, won 115 caps for England, earning 59 of those as captain. He said in a statement released to the PA news agency: 'Growing up in east London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British, I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour. 'To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career and literally a boyhood dream come true. 'Off the pitch I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Britain around the world and work with incredible organisations that are supporting communities in need and inspiring the next generation. 'I'm so lucky to be able to do the work that I do and I'm grateful to be recognised for work that gives me so much fulfilment. 'It will take a little while for the news to sink in but I'm immensely proud and it's such an emotional moment for me to share with my family.' Beckham won league titles in four countries – England, Spain, the United States and France – and played a key part as Manchester United won the Champions League in 1999 to complete the treble. United said in a club statement: 'All of us at Manchester United offer our warm congratulations to David Beckham on this richly-deserved honour. 'In the three and a half decades since he joined our academy as a 14-year-old, David has established himself as not only an indelible legend of this football club, but as a wonderful ambassador for the English game as a whole. 'David, we salute your achievements and thank you for your tremendous contribution to Manchester United.' Since retirement in 2013 Sir David has been heavily involved as the founder and co-owner of American Major League Soccer franchise Inter Miami, whose signing of Argentina superstar Lionel Messi has made them one of the world's most internationally recognised clubs. Away from football he has been a global ambassador for the humanitarian aid organisation UNICEF since 2005, and last year became an ambassador for the King's Foundation. This year we celebrate 20 incredible years of collaboration with our Goodwill Ambassador, David Beckham. From witnessing UNICEF's work firsthand, to raising awareness and funds for critical issues like malnutrition, education, gender equality, and violence against children, his… — UNICEF (@UNICEF) January 20, 2025 Philip Goodwin, UNICEF UK chief executive, said the charity was 'thrilled' by Beckham's knighthood and added: 'David Beckham has done an incredible amount to advocate for children's rights over the last 20 years. 'He became a Goodwill Ambassador in 2005 and launched 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund in 2015 – with the goal of helping children around the world, especially girls, break down barriers including bullying, violence, child marriage and missed education. 'He's travelled extensively to see UNICEF's work and used his profile to raise awareness, as well as support our flagship fundraising campaign Soccer Aid for UNICEF and launch global fundraising appeals. We are grateful for all of his support that has done a huge amount to amplify the voices of children around the world.' Beckham was part of a group of academy stars known as the 'Class of 92' whose ascendance to the Manchester United first team effectively heralded the start of United's second wave of Premier League dominance under Sir Alex Ferguson. The Scot was initially criticised for relying so heavily on the likes of Beckham, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes while allowing more established players to leave, but back-to-back league titles in 1996 and 1997 quickly silenced the doubters. Beckham won his first senior England cap in 1996 and made his World Cup bow at the 1998 finals in France. The tournament was a career lowlight for him however, as he was sent off for kicking out at Argentina's Diego Simeone as England exited on penalties in the last 16. The following summer was a complete contrast, with Beckham basking in United's treble success and marrying Spice Girl Victoria Adams. Beckham first skippered England under caretaker manager Peter Taylor in November 2000, but was made permanent captain from the start of Sven-Goran Eriksson's reign. The Swede's belief in the United star was rewarded as Beckham gave one of the performances of his life in a 2001 qualifier against Greece to drag England to qualification for the following year's World Cup in Japan and South Korea. England could not go beyond the last eight in Beckham's national team career, but he sits third in the men's all-time list for most England caps. Beckham joined Real Madrid's band of 'Galactico' superstars in 2003, but it took until his final season in Spain – 2006-07 – for him to win La Liga. By then he had already taken the decision in January 2007 – aged just 31 – to move to Los Angeles Galaxy in the United States. In LA Beckham won MLS Cups in 2011 and 2012 and ended his career with further European silverware, winning Ligue 1 with Paris St Germain in 2013. Retirement has not dimmed Beckham's celebrity, and he remains hugely in demand by the world's top brands. A 2023 Netflix documentary about his football career and family life was one of the most popular the streaming service has ever screened.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I stayed at the English beach holiday park following its £15million makeover with a massive waterpark and soft-play
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 'WOW, this is the best house ever,' scream my two kids. While their reactions slightly rile me — having just decorated both their bedrooms back home — I can see where they are coming from. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Enjoying a stroll along the beach Credit: Supplied 4 We had buckets of fun at Splash Waterpark, only 50 yards or so from our lodge Credit: Supplied For starters, our eight-man Platinum lodge at Unity Beach in Somerset has a hot tub — and it comes complete with undisturbed views of Brean's windswept coastline and a clear sky at night. Everything inside is sleek and stylish, with a statement electric fireplace in the centre and Scandi-style wooden furniture that makes the place look more like a fancy prize draw house than a holiday park lodge. I was staying there with my partner Bianca and two little ones, Frank, six, and Pearl, four. The fun-packed resort has recently been redeveloped as part of a £15million 'Comes Alive in 25' campaign and was reopened only last month, backed by The One Show host Alex Jones. The presenter said: 'There's a misconception that British seaside parks are outdated. Unity Beach proves that's no longer true.' I can't argue with her. Even though there was so much to do at the 240-acre resort, we could easily have spent a few hours relaxing in our new home. As well as a decking area with hot tub, it included a spacious lounge with a giant TV (as well as televisions in every bedroom), a fully-fitted kitchen, two double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, plus two more twin rooms. The lodges are really close to most of the activities and restaurants, too. These include the new Wonky Donkey, which serves brekkie and pub grub such as scampi, lasagne and burgers, and the Sports Cafe, where kids can play arcade favourites and cutting-edge VR games in between bites of pizza, while adults watch live sport on the large screens. Top Seashore Holiday Parks for Family Fun There's also the revamped Pavilion Theatre, where guests can tuck into wings, loaded fries and kid-sized lighter bites all while watching live game shows and tribute acts. And with a proper kitchen in our lodge, we could always mix it up with a takeaway from the on-site chippy or Chinese. Then there's the retro-decorated RJ's, which offers American diner-style classics such as pizzas, wings and build-your-own burgers. And with a proper kitchen in our lodge, we could always mix it up with a takeaway from the on-site chippy or Chinese. When we weren't sampling all the food, we had buckets of fun at Splash Waterpark, only 50 yards or so from our lodge. It costs extra to visit (from £3.25pp) but it's well worth it, with a kids' pool, play areas and plenty of slides. Ninja Zone The pre-booked 90-minute pool sessions were just enough for our two, although bigger kids, who can go on all the flumes, might want to stay longer. Despite tearing around the pool for an hour and a half, Frank and Pearl couldn't wait to go straight to Brean Play indoor soft play afterwards. If one thing's guaranteed to tire them out, it's soft play. The area includes the Ninja Zone, with a challenging obstacle course for older kids, and a state-of-the-art ball court with an interactive screen that lets kids play all manner of games. If that's not enough, there's also the Brean Theme Park, which was again just yards from our lodge. And I could see why our kids were so desperate to go. The park has a great mix of rides for kids of all ages as well as adults. Thankfully, Bianca was happy to take Frank on the scarier rollercoasters while I made sure Pearl was OK on the carousels. You'll have to pay extra for entry, but Unity guests get discounted wristbands meaning it won't end up costing a fortune. Unity is not all about the kids, though. Adults can have their fair share of fun at the 18-hole golf course. Whatever you end up doing, there's a good chance you'll finish your day in the hot tub, soaking up all the memories. Or they might want to try their hand at new must-play sport padel, with Unity being home to Somerset's only two courts. We barely had enough time to try everything within the resort, let alone to venture out. 4 The fun-packed resort has recently been redeveloped as part of a £15million 'Comes Alive in 25' campaign backed by The One Show host Alex Jones, above at Unity Beach Credit: Supplied 4 The nearby Bream Theme Park was is winner for kids Credit: Supplied But for those keen to explore the area, Weston-super-Mare, Burnham pier and Cheddar Gorge are all nearby. However, try to make it back in time for the evening entertainment, which includes discos and parties for the little ones, games shows and entertainers. Whatever you end up doing, there's a good chance you'll finish your day in the hot tub, soaking up all the memories. And you'll certainly be grateful for those comfy beds, too.
