Massive blaze at five-star Mandarin Oriental hotel in Hyde Park as smoke seen across city
A huge fire broke out at a luxury hotel in central London a week after “the most extensive restoration in its 115-year history” was completed.
Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the five-star Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge just before 16:00 BST. A total of 36 hotel guests and 250 members of hotel staff were evacuated. The blaze reached several floors but was quickly extinguished, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said. At the height of the fire about 120 firefighters and 20 engines were sent to the the 12-storey building in William Street, near Hyde Park. The cause of the fire is not yet known and firefighters are likely to remain at the scene through the night, a LFB spokesperson said.Both the ambulance service and the Met Police attended, although there were no reports of any injuries.
What this means for hotel operators
A hotel is a complex premises where the responsible person must take reasonable steps to protect guests, staff and anyone else who may be affected by fire. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, this includes carrying out and maintaining a suitable fire risk assessment, putting appropriate precautions in place and providing information, instruction and training. The assessment should reflect the building’s use, occupancy, layout and management arrangements.
The risk assessment should be reviewed regularly and whenever there is a significant change, including refurbishment, alterations to rooms or services, or changes to staffing and occupancy. Fire detection and alarm systems should be suitable, maintained and tested, with clear arrangements for responding to alarms and evacuating guests who may need assistance. Escape routes and exits must be kept clear, adequately signed and available for use. Fire doors should close properly and not be wedged open, while fire-resisting construction and fire-stopping should be checked where work has taken place.
Hotel staff need practical training on alarm procedures, evacuation, assisting guests and reporting defects. Records of testing, servicing, training and corrective work should be retained, and any concerns identified after an event should be addressed before normal arrangements resume.
How FireRA can help
FireRA’s qualified assessors carry out fire risk assessments and fire safety training for landlords and businesses across London and the South East. We can help review fire precautions, evacuation arrangements, fire doors and fire-stopping, and provide practical guidance for responsible persons and staff. To discuss your requirements, call FireRA on 020 3936 9826.
