Hotel fire coverage ‘out of proportion'

Graham Bamford, general manager of London's Royal Garden hotel, has hit out at "misleading" television coverage following a fire at the property last week which forced the evacuation of about 400 staff and guests.

Twenty firefighters went to the 396-bedroom hotel in Kensington High Street on Friday morning after a fire started while workmen were installing a new laundry chute. The fire, believed to have been caused by sparks from welding equipment, was contained in the chute between the sub-basement and the fourth floor, and smoke escaped on to the third, seventh and 10th floors.

Bamford said there had been minimal damage and disruption, and attacked news coverage of the fire, claiming it had been blown "out of all proportion".

"There was no damage in guest bedrooms or public areas," he stressed.

Following the fire, the hotel contacted clients holding functions at the hotel to reassure them that it was business as usual.

Bamford also praised the nearby Copthorne Tara hotel, which temporarily housed the evacuated staff and guests until they were allowed back into the Royal Garden after midday.

By Sara Macefield