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| Firefighters tackle a blaze at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge |
Guests and staff were evacuated from a luxury hotel in an upmarket area of central London as 120 firefighters tackled a large fire on the roof the the UK Press Association reported on Wednesday.
London Fire Brigade said 20 engines and 120 firefighters and officers had been sent to the scene at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, in Knightsbridge, as huge plumes of thick black smoke could be seen rising into the sky, the agency said.
Paramedics attended but London Ambulance Service said it had not treated any patients.
Flames could be seen around the top of the hotel, and extended ladders were erected to access that area of the building.
A tradesman working at the hotel said he saw a “big fire” on the roof before raising the alarm.
Emergency services had since cordoned off the road, he said, and although there were ambulances present he had not seen any signs of injury.
“I would say the fire is under control now. I can’t see any smoke, there are firefighters and the whole building is dripping wet right now,” he added.
Another witness, Samir Boureghda, of Masgouf restaurant in William Street, said he thought the flames had been extinguished.
Eyewitnesses posted videos on social media showing the large column of smoke rising from the top of the building and people in nearby Hyde Park turning their heads towards the sky.
