GAS LEAK LEADS TO EXPLOSION IN LONDON
Hundreds of guests evacuated, 14 injured after suspected gas leak explosion in London hotel
The London Fire Brigade said that five of the 14 were taken to hospital and some 400 guests were evacuated to a nearby hotel after the blast caused extensive damage to the basement and ground floor.
The hotel chain said in a statement that 12 Hyatt employees were injured and that no guests were hurt. Five cars on a neighboring street were also damaged.
"Hyatt's top priority is the safety and well-being of our guests and associates, and we are currently working to provide guests with accommodations while we evaluate whether the hotel suffered any significant damage," the company said in a statement.
The explosion at the five-star Churchill Hyatt Regency Hotel took place just before midnight Friday.
Six fire engines and 35 firefighters responded, together with rescue and hazardous materials teams. Officials say the cause of the blast is being investigated, but a gas leak is suspected.
The luxury West End hotel has 434 rooms and suites.
Suspected gas explosion at London hotel injures 14
The side of the Churchill Hyatt Regency hotel in Portman Square,
central London where a three meter hole can be seen in the wall.
Photograph: BBCLondon949 via Twitter
The Churchill Hyatt Regency hotel in Portman Square, central London.
Up to 500 guests had to leave the hotel last night after a gas
explosion.
The Churchill Hyatt Regency hotel in Portman Square, central London, was evacuated following the explosion at around 11.40pm and a number of people were being treated by paramedics.
Around 80 firefighters were on the scene at the height of the incident, including appliances with specialist equipment to deal with collapsed buildings. The full extent of the damage is not known at this stage and all people were accounted for, a spokesman for London Fire Brigade said.
At the gas explosion at Regency Hyatt Hotel in central London. Listen for updates on @BBCLondon949 pic.twitter.com/n7RQvN4Kt7
— Jason Rosam (@JasonRosam) November 22, 2014
Hotel explosion in #Marylebone believed to have been a gas leak. LAS
treating injuries. For details read here: http://t.co/LTEuWh1hjd
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) November 22, 2014
A further three people needed hospital treatment, while nine others were checked over at the scene and given the all-clear.
A spokesman for the hotel told ITV no guests were harmed and could be relocated until the damage was assessed.
It said: “Hyatt Regency Churchill in London experienced a gas explosion in the basement early this morning.
“Twelve Hyatt associates were treated for injuries.
“No guests were injured, and all guests were evacuated to nearby hotels. Hyatt’s top priority is the safety and wellbeing of our guests and associates, and we are currently working to provide guests with accommodations while we evaluate whether the hotel suffered any significant damage.”
Police officers were also called to the scene and a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “At about 11.40pm we were called to a suspected gas explosion at Portman Square. Officers are in attendance alongside the fire brigade and ambulance service. A small number of injured parties are being treated .”
London Fire Brigade later tweeted there had been “extensive damage caused to the basement”.
The five-star hotel, in the Marylebone area has 434 guest rooms.
A spokesman for London Fire Brigade added 500 people were forced out on to the street as a result of the explosion, thought to have been caused by a gas leak and an internal wall or ceiling may have collapsed.
Structural engineers have been called to assess the damage in the basement area.