Fire at Ritz hotel in Paris could delay reopening
Fire fighters are fighting an extensive blaze at the luxury Ritz hotel in Paris, which is currently closed for a £150m refurbishment.
The blaze is believed to have broken out at 6am local time on the top floor of the hotel, which was scheduled to reopen in March after closing its doors to guests in August 2012.
Fifteen fire engines are at the scene at the Place Vendome. It is not yet known how the fire will impact the reopening of the hotel, which has 71 bedrooms and 71 suites.
The Ritz Paris was founded within an 18th century property by legendary Swiss hotelier Cesar Ritz, in 1898, as a sister hotel to its London counterpart. It was sold by the Ritz family to Egyptian billionaire Mohammed Al Fayed in 1979. The Ritz London is now owned by David and Frederick Barclay.
The Ritz Paris is best known for the location of the last dinner between the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed, immediately prior to their fatal car crash in 1997.
