Massive blaze engulfs Mandarin Oriental in London's Knightsbridge

Fire crews are battling an enormous fire at the luxury Mandarin Oriental hotel in central London this afternoon.  

Thick black smoke was seen billowing across the capital's skyline from the hotel in William Street, Knightsbridge, where rooms start from £600-a-night. 

London Fire Brigade said 20 fire engines and 120 fire fighters have been scrambled to the scene. 

The hotel has just finished the most extensive and costly refurbishment in its 115-year history, with rooms only re-opening to the public on May 29.  

A spokesman for the exclusive Hong Kong-based hotel chain told MailOnline: 'We are aware of a situation at the hotel and London Fire Brigade are at the scene.' 

A fire brigade spokesman added: 'The Brigade's 999 control officers have taken more than 35 calls to the fire, which is producing a lot of smoke.

'The Brigade was called at 15.55. Fire crews from Chelsea, Kensington, Hammersmith, Battersea and other surrounding fire stations are at the scene. 


'The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.'

Roads between Scotch Corner and Hyde Park Corner have been closed while emergency services deal with the fire. 

The Met Police told MailOnline it was coming from a hotel in Knightsbridge and officers were at the scene. 

Jack, 19, a student told MailOnline: 'I came out of Knightbridge Station when I saw a huge amount of black smoke.

'The fire brigade have corned off the street and the customers from the surrounding shops have been evacuated.

'There's quite a lot of debris on the street. I can still see a little hue of red from the roof. 

'I didn't see anyone seem to be in too much distress - its under control now, I hope.'

The fire comes just weeks after the luxurious hotel was back open for full business after an extensive and costly refurbishment.

The 115-year old establishment was modernised as part of a multi-million pound restoration, as its 118 rooms with views across London's Hyde Park were transformed.