A major fire broke out at the exclusive Kensington Roof Gardens, a celebrity hotspot and private members' club in London, causing an early morning evacuation. The blaze, which started at 12:57 AM, quickly spread to the ninth floor of the high-rise office block on Derry Street, just off High Street Kensington. Eighty firefighters, equipped with twelve fire engines, were dispatched to tackle the blaze, which raged for over two and a half hours until it was brought under control at 3:36 AM. The fire engines remained on the scene, with hoses still attached to hydrants and snaking over pavements, as uniformed crews secured the area and conducted final checks. An investigation into the cause of the fire is now underway.
Dramatic photos of the burning bar were shared by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) on social media, showing orange flames raging through the rooftop area and thick black smoke pouring from the inferno. Specialist equipment, including a 32-meter turntable ladder, was utilized to combat the fire and provide an aerial view for the Incident Commander. The LFB spokesperson confirmed that the fire affected the rooftop bar area of the nine-story building and that the cause is under investigation.
A receptionist from one of the offices below recounted the experience, mentioning the long wait outside in the cold since 1 AM and the delayed re-entry into the building. The Daily Mail has reached out to Kensington Rooftop Gardens for further details, and the investigation into the fire's cause is ongoing.
