Blaze at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London

Around twenty five fire engines and 120 firefighters are tackling a fire at the historic Mandarin Oriental building in Knightsbridge.

Huge plumes of smoke were seen coming from the five-star hotel in central London. London Fire Brigade said it was called shortly before 4pm (GMT). The cause of the flames was not yet known. The 12-storey Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park completed the “most extensive restoration in its 115-year history”, according to a statement published by owner Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in May.

Staff from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel were evacuated to Hyde Park. London Ambulance has sent its hazardous area response team (HART) to the hotel, but there have been no reports of injuries at this stage.

The firefighting squads include crews from Chelsea, Kensington, Hammersmith and Battersea.

Transport for London said the blaze was also affecting entry to and exit from Knightsbridge station. It tweeted: “Knightsbridge: currently the Sloane Street entrance at the station is closed.

“Customers are advised to use the Harrods entrance.”

Dispatch prepared on reports published on The Telegraph, Sky News and BBC.