Five-star London hotel evacuates guests after basement fire
Some 150 guests and 50 members of staff were evacuated from the Le Méridien Piccadilly hotel earlier today due to a small fire in its basement.
Six fire engines and 35 firefighters were called at 11:15am to reports of smoke issuing from the basement of the five-star hotel in Piccadilly, London.
The London Fire Brigade confirmed fire crews from Soho, Chelsea, Euston and Lambeth fire stations attended the scene, and it later confirmed a small rubbish fire occurred in a light well adjacent to hotel’s basement.
Neighbouring clothing store, Cordings London, tweeted a picture after fire officers arrived at the scene.
*Piccadilly Shop temporarily closed * whilst the fire brigade attend to a fire alert next door at The Meridien. pic.twitter.com/q6COta1PaU
— Cordings (@cordingslondon) March 27, 2017
A spokesperson for the hotel, which was declared safe at 3pm, said: “Le Méridien Piccadilly was evacuated for precautionary measures due to a small fire in the boiler room.
“The hotel team worked diligently with the local authorities to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. The hotel has been declared safe and guests are now able to return to their rooms. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
