A forthcoming Foster and Partners-designed hotel in central London has been hit by a fire, with the extent of the damage yet to be assessed.
According to the BBC around 100 firefighters were sent to the fire on top of Marconi House at the corner of the Strand and Aldwych at around 1100 this morning.
Melia Hotels International is currently developing its second London property on the site, with the 173-room Me London set to combine the historic facade of Marconi House with a new Portland Stone building.
A statement by the group (received at 1930 BST) said:
“The Spanish company which owns the central London hotel has confirmed that this morning there was a fire in the roof of the building, controlled but not extinguished yet, causing no personal injuries. Pending a final assessment, the extent of the material damage is not yet known.
“Meliá Hotels International is grateful to the London Fire Brigade for their diligence and responsibility in extinguishing the fire, preventing it spreading to the rest of the building and, above all, avoiding injuries.
“The building work, with the full-risk insurance coverage, will be restarted as soon as possible.”
Scheduled to open in 2012, Me London will join Melia White House as the group's second property in the capital.
For more information visit melia.com.
Report by Mark Caswell