Crews from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) were called to an incident at a “historically significant building” in Marylebone on 14 February 2025, after a major fire broke out in the late afternoon
Around 25 fire appliances and 125 firefighters were deployed to Chiltern Firehouse, a Grade II-listed hotel, including crews from Euston, Soho, Paddington, West Hampstead, Kensington, Chelsea, and surrounding fire stations.
The fire is believed to have started in the ducting of the four-storey building, which has a restaurant on the ground floor, and spread from the ground floor to the roof. 100 people were evacuated from the premises prior to the arrival of firefighters, and there were no injuries reported. Footage taken by eyewitnesses at the scene showed plumes of thick smoke and orange flames engulfing the top of the building.
Crews used two 32-metre turntable ladders as water towers to help fight the fire from above.
In an update, the brigade confirmed: “The roof and third floor were destroyed by the fire. Around half of the second floor and a small part of the ground floor were damaged by the fire.”
Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control just before 8pm. In attendance at the scene was Assistant Commissioner Paul McCourt, who said: "Crews worked incredibly hard for over eight hours in arduous conditions. Presented with a complex fire in a historically significant building, formerly Manchester Square Fire Station, firefighters successfully contained the fire to one property, preventing it from spreading to neighbouring properties.
"Around 100 people evacuated the building before the Brigade arrived and thankfully there have been no reports of any injuries.
"Firefighters remained on scene overnight and into Saturday damping down hotspots.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank our crews, Control Officers, fire safety officers and support staff who worked to resolve the incident."
As reported by The Guardian, the premises, originally known as Manchester Square Fire Station, was one of London’s first “purpose-built” fire stations.
According to BBC News, the owner of the hotel, Andre Balazs, confirmed that the hotel would “remain closed until further notice”.
In a statement, Balazs said: “Earlier this evening, a fire broke out at Chiltern Firehouse.
“We are grateful to confirm that no one was hurt, and our guests and staff safely evacuated. The fire has now been fully contained.
“It is with heartfelt gratitude and appreciation that we watched a remarkable 140 firefighters from over 20 stations rapidly descend on what they told me was a hugely sentimental building for so many of them.
“We know in fact one of those who rushed to the Chiltern Firehouse this evening had been stationed in the building when it was a fire station 30 years ago.”
In an update, the brigade said the fire was accidental, "caused by burning wood falling from a pizza oven and igniting the void between the basement and ground floor".
(Photograph by the London Fire Brigade)