A fire at Chiltern Firehouse led to the evacuation of 100 people. Firefighters extinguished the blaze; no injuries reported.
It took place at a Grade II listed building that used to be a fire station, called Manchester Square Fire Station. They built it way back in 1889, and it closed in 2005.
Many firefighters went to the scene; about 125 arrived from Euston and Soho stations. Paddington, West Hampstead, and others sent help. They used some special tools, including a drone and turntable ladders, which helped put water on the fire.
Luckily, everyone got out safely. Around one hundred people left, and no one suffered any injuries.
The fire started downstairs in the restaurant, then it spread up the building. It followed the ducting to the roof of the four-floor hotel. Firefighters put the fire out by 8:07 PM.
The second floor and the ground floor both sustained damage. The roof was in bad shape, and the fire destroyed the third floor. Fire investigators think it started by accident when burning wood fell somehow from the pizza oven, between floors near the basement and ground floor.
A fire chief spoke about the incident. He thanked all the firefighters, who worked very hard to stop it and saved nearby buildings too. Crews remained on the scene overnight to dampen any hotspots.