Robbie Williams evacuated to safety after massive fire breaks out in London's Mandarin Oriental hotel days after multi-million-dollar renovation
It has emerged that singer Robbie Williams was amongst the guests who were evacuated from central London's Mandarin Oriental after a fire broke out on Wednesday. The 44-year-old pop star made a timely escape as massive clouds of smoke loomed over the London skyline following the incident on William Street in Knightsbridge.
Incidentally, the horrific incident unfolded shortly after the Hong Kong-owned hotel completed what it called the "most extensive restoration in its 115-year history" last week.
Soon after the blaze took hold, the 'Angels' singer was rushed to safety along with several other concerned guests lodged at the £600-a-night five star hotel. In Instagram videos posted by the onlookers, Williams was filmed coming out through the emergency stairwell before making his way safely to the streets.
Decked in track pants, jacket, and shades, the singer quickly flashed a thumbs up while walking down the street with thick black smoke billowing in the background. However, Williams wasn't the only A-lister who was caught in the fire. Australian singer-cum-actress Holly Vance is also believed to have been present at the scene.
She later took to social media to share, "This is just terrible #mandarinoriental just minutes ago. Went up in seconds!"
Meanwhile, reports say that there was a quick response from the fire department and more 100 firefighters and 20 fire engines hustled to the venue as soon as fire broke out in the posh 12-story building.
A statement released by the London Fire Brigade stated: "Twenty fire engines and 120 firefighters and officers have been called to a visible fire at a hotel in William Street in Knightsbridge. The Brigade’s 999 control officers have taken around 40 calls to the fire, which is producing a lot of smoke."
"The smoke from this large fire was very visible across central London," said fire brigade station manager Pam Oparaocha, according to reports. "Firefighters are working extremely hard to bring the fire under control. Crews wearing breathing apparatus are carrying out a search inside the building. Once the fire has been brought under control fire investigators will take over to establish how the blaze started."
While no injuries have been reported so far, more updates are awaited from the spokesperson for the luxurious hotel chain.