Michelin-starred Indian restaurant is badly damaged after huge fire breaks out in London’s Mayfair

A Michelin-starred Indian restaurant has been badly damaged after a huge fire broke out this afternoon, sending a large smoke plume across London’s Mayfair. 

Around 60 firefighters were sent to Gymkhana in the west of the city this afternoon, as flames ripped through the award-winning restaurant.     

A thick plume of smoke could be seen across the area, as dozens of stunned witnesses stopped to watch the fire – next to the Thai Airways building.

The blaze stretched from the ground floor of the building all the way to the roof, with half of the ground floor significantly damaged as a result. 

Witnesses reported the building being evacuated, and bystanders covered in ‘black ash’ as the police installed a large cordon around the scene.   

It is unclear what caused the blaze, which has been brought under control by crews drafted in from around London. 

A thick plume of smoke could be seen across the London skyline, as dozens of stunned witnesses stopped to watch the fire. One eyewitness told MailOnline the plumes spread around 50 metres above the building

Witnesses reported the building being evacuated, and bystanders covered in 'black ash' as the police installed a large cordon around the scene

One witness suggested the smoke plumes spread 50 metres above the building at the height of the blaze

Witnesses reported the building being evacuated, and bystanders covered in ‘black ash’ as the police installed a large cordon around the scene. London Fire Brigade is on the scene, alongside police and ambulance crews

It is unclear what caused the blaze, which is now being tackled by crews drafted in from around London

It is unclear what caused the blaze, which is now being tackled by crews drafted in from around London

Half of the ground floor kitchen and half of the ducting from ground floor to roof level is currently on fire

The cause of the blaze is currently unknown, but fire fighters continue to investigate

Half of the ground floor kitchen and half of the ducting from ground floor to roof level is currently on fire. The cause is currently unknown

London Fire Brigade was called at around 4pm. Fire crews from Soho, Lambeth, Kensington, Euston, Paddington, Chelsea and Dowgate fire stations are at the scene

London Fire Brigade was called at around 4pm. Fire crews from Soho, Lambeth, Kensington, Euston, Paddington, Chelsea and Dowgate fire stations are at the scene

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: ‘Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to a fire at a restaurant in Albemarle Street in Mayfair.

‘Half of a ground floor restaurant was damaged by the fire. The ducting – the ventilation system – from ground floor to roof level and wooden casing around the ducting were destroyed. Fortunately, there were no reports of any injuries.       

The spokesman added: ‘The Brigade was called at 4.08pm. Fire crews from Soho, Lambeth, Kensington, Euston, Paddington, Chelsea and Dowgate fire stations are at the scene.’

Kate Thomas, 26, who works on the same street as the Thai Airways building told MailOnline that the fire began in an Indian restaurant – located inside the same building.  

A large number of bystanders watched on as the fire raged at the Thai Airways building in Mayfair. Eight fire engines were sent to the scene alongside around 60 firefighters

A large number of bystanders watched on as the fire raged at the Thai Airways building in Mayfair. Eight fire engines were sent to the scene alongside around 60 firefighters

One eyewitness reported that a nearby pub had to be evacuated as a cordon was set up around the scene of the blaze. The eyewitness also reported seeing 'black ash' fall on nearby pedestrians

One eyewitness reported that a nearby pub had to be evacuated as a cordon was set up around the scene of the blaze. The eyewitness also reported seeing ‘black ash’ fall on nearby pedestrians

Part of the ground floor restaurant and part of the ducting - the ventilation system - from ground floor to roof level is alight

Firefighters remain at the scene tackling the blaze, with a cordon still in place

Part of the ground floor restaurant and part of the ducting – the ventilation system – from ground floor to roof level is alight. Firefighters remain at the scene tackling the blaze

The fire is located in the Thai Airways building on Albemarle St in an affluent area of West London

The fire is located in the Thai Airways building on Albemarle St in an affluent area of West London

The fire is believed to be located in a popular Indian restaurant inside the Thai Airways in Mayfair

Dozens of firefighters are currently at the scene of the blaze

The fire is believed to be located in a popular Indian restaurant inside the Thai Airways in Mayfair. Dozens of firefighters are currently at the scene

She said: ‘I saw the fire soon after it broke out, and the smoke must have stretched around 50 metres above the building. It was huge. 

‘Hundreds of people were stood around watching the fire. They even evacuated the pub opposite the road, so people were standing around with drinks watching.’

Ms Thomas described ‘black ash’ falling on nearby bystanders, and said that those in the Thai Airways building were likely evacuated following the blaze. 

She said: ‘They’re bringing it under control now, but a cordon remains in place and they’re presumably deciding what to do next.’ 

The cause of the fire is currently unknown, but investigative work is currently underway. Gymkhana has stopped taking bookings for the time being

The cause of the fire is currently unknown, but investigative work is currently underway. Gymkhana has stopped taking bookings for the time being

In a statement released following the fire, a spokesman for the restaurant said that all staff and diners were safe following the blaze

It is no longer taking bookings, and will update diners in due course

In a statement released following the fire, a spokesman for the restaurant said that all staff and diners were safe following the blaze. It is no longer taking bookings, and will update diners in due course

The cause of the fire is currently unknown, but investigative work is currently underway. 

In a statement released following the fire, a spokesman for the restaurant said: ‘A fire broke out at Albemarle Street in Mayfair causing Gymkhana to temporarily close. 

‘The fire was quickly attended to by the emergency services and has now been extinguished.

‘At this stage, the cause of the fire is not yet known however we would like to reassure the public that all staff and diners are safe.

‘Currently, Gymkhana is not taking further reservations and all existing bookings are being retrospectively rescheduled.’ 

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