The Regional Press Awards lunch was disrupted this afternoon after a fire broke out in the Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square, Mayfair.
Around 200 journalists were evacuated from the event at around 2pm this afternoon and, according to attendees, five fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers were at the scene. Everyone was understood to have been evacuated safely.
Just before 3pm event organisers announced that the awards would be moved from the Marriott to the Grosvenor House hotel instead. But ten minutes later the Marriott was given the all clear.
At 3.05pm, the London Fire Brigade announced that part of a lift motor room was damaged but that the incident was "under control".
The awards recommenced shortly afterwards.
The London Fire Brigade had tweeted at around 2.30pm that it was "attending a fire" at the hotel.
We're currently attending a fire at a hotel on Grosvenor Square in #Mayfair. Four fire engines are at the scene. pic.twitter.com/q6naczqd8j
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) May 15, 2015
The hotel fire on Grosvenor Square in #Mayfair is under control. Part of a lift motor room was damaged by fire. pic.twitter.com/Zx7aeteI5H
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) May 15, 2015
Shortly after 2pm the journalists in attendance were forced to wait in Grosvenor Square Garden. Many, though, soon moved on to the Barley Mow pub on Duke Street.
The #RegionalPressAwards have now been evacuated to the Grosvenor. Give fire engines at the Marriott. pic.twitter.com/4auxDb6vVx
— Peter Sands, SMS (@petersands55) May 15, 2015
We've been evacuated …& upgraded to The Grosvenor! @RegPressAwards #RegionalPressAwards #result pic.twitter.com/PLjQE1vKCz
— Carolyn Hitt (@carolyn_hitt) May 15, 2015
Hotel hosting Regional Press awards in Mayfair evacuated due to fire https://t.co/w3tuRowy7U
— londonmultimedianews (@LondonMMNews) May 15, 2015
Lots of hacks enjoying the park … as opposed to enjoying their awards lunch. #RegionalPressAwards pic.twitter.com/iGbpgYqdhN
— Peter Sands, SMS (@petersands55) May 15, 2015
Fire alarm evacuation at #RegionalPressAwards @RegPressAwards Should have grabbed the wine… pic.twitter.com/uwFygBKMlC
— Carolyn Hitt (@carolyn_hitt) May 15, 2015
So the #RegionalPressAwards just evacuated as we were about to start the main course pic.twitter.com/TboFU710PY
— Daniel Wainwright (@wainwright_star) May 15, 2015
At the time of evacuation, eight awards had been won.
After the awards were resumed, host Nick Ferrari took a fire extinguisher onto the stage with him.
Nick Ferrari has brought a fire extinguisher to the second half of press award following "fire" in Grosvenor Hotel pic.twitter.com/idCTHPGneZ
— Tom Foot (@tomfoot1) May 15, 2015
Great coverage of our work in #Mayfair by the journalists attending the #regpressawards Good luck to all nominees. https://t.co/l4QYi3jfxl
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) May 15, 2015
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