London: The iconic Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone will remain closed until further notice after a fire forced around 100 people to evacuate the venue on Friday afternoon.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) reported that 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines responded to the blaze at the luxury restaurant and hotel, which started around 2:52 pm. The fire began on the ground floor in the ducting of the Grade II-listed building, once one of London’s first purpose-built fire stations. It spread to the second and third floors and the roof.
The fire burned for six hours before it was declared “completely under control,” with firefighters confirming that the four-story hotel would likely require extensive repairs.
Owner André Balazs confirmed that no injuries occurred during the fire, and the building was fully contained by 9:30 pm. He praised the swift evacuation of both guests and staff.
In a statement, the LFB noted that the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but they commended the efforts of firefighters who worked in challenging conditions within the complex historic building. The brigade also managed to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring properties.
Eyewitnesses described thick smoke pouring from the building, with many onlookers commenting on the dramatic sight. One witness noted that the fire likely started in the kitchen before spreading upstairs, while another remarked on the thick smoke that filled the streets. Roads around the area were closed off as firefighters worked to contain the fire, with large crowds of people standing outside in the cold.
Chiltern Firehouse, which opened in 2014, has long been a celebrity hotspot, attracting high-profile figures from politics, entertainment, and fashion. Despite the fire, the venue remains an important part of London’s restaurant scene.
Balazs expressed his gratitude to the firefighters, emphasizing their connection to the building, with some reportedly having served there when it was still a functioning fire station. “I am truly grateful to all of them,” he said. “This is certainly not the Valentine’s Day evening they had in mind.”
Stay tuned to London Pulse News for updates on the Chiltern Firehouse fire and its recovery after the Valentine’s Day evacuation.
