A massive blaze tore through the luxury Mandarin Oriental hotel in London on Wednesday — just over a week after workers completed the most extensive renovations in the building’s history.
As many as 120 London Fire Brigade firefighters responded to the blaze in Knightsbridge shortly before 4 p.m. local time, the Independent UK reported.
Towering clouds of thick, black smoke could be seen billowing out of the posh hotel’s top floor, according to videos posted to Twitter.
“Just evacuated Mandarin Oriental hotel to see this… absolutely crazy!” wrote Anna Whiteley, along with a video of hazy, dense plumes of smoke covering the sky.
On may 29, the 12-story, $800-a-night hotel had just completed the “most extensive restoration in its 155-year history,” according to a statement by owner Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in May, the Telegraph UK reported.
Staff and guests were evacuated, but officials haven’t said whether there were any injuries or what started the fire.
“Scary stuff in Knightsbridge,” wrote Joe Flaherty, who said his office is 50 yards from the hotel.
“Also tourists taking selfies with the fire in the background flashing the peace symbol was pretty damn disgusting, especially after the events of this time last year,” he added, referring to the fire at the Grenfell Tower last June, which caused 72 deaths.
