Major Blaze Engulfs Popular Rooftop Garden Bar in West London
A significant fire tore through the well-known Kensington Roof Gardens bar, located on the ninth floor of a high-rise office building in west London, in the early hours of this morning. The inferno required a substantial emergency response, with approximately 80 firefighters deployed across 12 fire engines to combat the flames.
Timeline of the Overnight Incident
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) received the first emergency call at 12.57am, with crews from Kensington, Hammersmith, Chelsea, and surrounding stations immediately mobilised to the scene on Derry Street, just off High Street Kensington. The fire raged intensely for over two and a half hours, with firefighters finally bringing it under control by 3.36am.
Specialist equipment was crucial in tackling the blaze at such a height. The LFB utilised one of their 32-metre turntable ladders not only to rapidly transport crews to the rooftop garden bar but also to serve as an observation deck, providing the Incident Commander with a vital aerial perspective of the firefighting operation.
Scene Description and Impact
Dramatic images shared by the LFB on social media platform X showed the night sky illuminated a vivid orange as flames consumed the rooftop area, with thick, black smoke billowing from the nine-storey office block. The aftermath saw fire engines still stationed along High Street Kensington at 6am, with hoses crisscrossing pavements as uniformed crews conducted final safety checks and secured the perimeter.
The disruption extended to the offices below the bar. A receptionist from one of these businesses reported having to wait outside in the cold from around 1am, only being allowed to re-enter the building just before 6am.
Investigation and Official Statement
An investigation into the cause of the fire has now been formally opened by authorities. In an official statement, an LFB spokesperson confirmed: 'Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters tackled a fire at a commercial building on Kensington High Street in Kensington. Part of the rooftop bar area of the nine storey building was alight.'
The spokesperson further detailed the use of the turntable ladder as an observation tower and reiterated that the fire's origin remains unknown and under active investigation. At this time, there is no confirmed information regarding any potential injuries resulting from the incident.
