The renowned Chiltern Firehouse, one of London’s most exclusive celebrity venues, has temporarily closed its doors following a major fire that forced around 100 people to evacuate on Friday afternoon. Firefighters battled the flames for six hours before gaining control of the blaze, which broke out in the kitchen ducting and spread to the upper floors of the historic Grade II-listed building.
125 Firefighters Battle Six-Hour Blaze
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) responded swiftly to the 999 call, dispatching 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines to the scene on Chiltern Street, Marylebone at 2:52 PM. Crews worked tirelessly to contain the fire within the property, preventing it from spreading to neighboring buildings.
Eyewitnesses reported thick black smoke billowing from the roof, with flames visible from the top of the building as firefighters used an aerial platform to combat the inferno. By 9:30 PM, the fire was fully contained, though the damage to the four-story structure suggests a significant refurbishment will be required before reopening.
Luxury Hotel & Restaurant Evacuated
Guests and staff were safely evacuated without injury. The restaurant, located on the ground floor, was bustling with high-profile visitors at the time of the fire. An eyewitness described the scene outside as “filled with glamorous, smartly dressed people shivering in the cold”, caught off guard by the emergency.
Another bystander, Guy Fischman, 23, from Richmond, described the intensity of the smoke: “The whole street was full of thick smoke, and visibility was awful. I’ve never seen anything like it in London.”
Chiltern Firehouse: A Celebrity Magnet
Since its opening in 2014, Chiltern Firehouse has been a magnet for A-list celebrities, frequently gracing the pages of tabloids. The venue has welcomed high-profile figures such as Madonna, Naomi Campbell, Bill Clinton, Bono, David Cameron, Keira Knightley, and Lindsay Lohan. The restaurant has often been described as a “paparazzi hotspot”, with VIPs frequently spotted entering and exiting the premises.
Chiltern Firehouse Owner Expresses Gratitude
André Balazs, the owner of Chiltern Firehouse, expressed his gratitude to the firefighters who worked relentlessly to control the fire. He shared a personal anecdote about one of the responding firefighters, who had been stationed at the building decades ago when it functioned as a fire station.
“We are deeply thankful for the heroic efforts of the 120 firefighters who worked tirelessly to save this sentimental and historic landmark,” Balazs said.
Future of Chiltern Firehouse
While the cause of the fire remains unknown, investigations are underway. The LFB confirmed that a cordon will remain in place overnight, restricting access to the surrounding streets as crews dampen down lingering hotspots.
For now, Chiltern Firehouse remains closed until further notice, leaving London’s celebrity elite without one of their favorite dining spots.
