Pizza Oven Sparks Major Fire at London’s Chiltern Firehouse Hotel

A large fire broke out at the Chiltern Firehouse, a luxury hotel and restaurant in Marylebone, London, on February 14, 2025, forcing approximately 100 people to evacuate.

The incident occurred shortly before 3 PM, coinciding with Valentine’s Day celebrations at the venue, which is popular among celebrities.

The London Fire Brigade deployed around 20 fire engines and approximately 125 firefighters to combat the blaze. The fire reportedly started in the ducting of the four-story building, originating from a pizza oven where burning wood fell and ignited the space between the basement and ground floor.

Flames quickly spread to the roof and third floor of the historic structure, which was originally built as a fire station in the late 19th century.

Eyewitness accounts described thick smoke engulfing the area, with visibility severely reduced. Fortunately, all guests and staff were safely evacuated before firefighters arrived, and no injuries were reported.

Assistant Commissioner Paul McCourt praised the firefighters for their hard work under challenging conditions, stating that they successfully contained the fire to prevent it from spreading to neighboring properties.

The owner of the Chiltern Firehouse, Andre Balazs, expressed gratitude towards the emergency services and confirmed that the hotel would remain closed until further notice as investigations into the cause of the fire continue.

The venue was scheduled to host a post-BAFTA Film Awards party just days after the incident.