Trader Vic's restaurant remains closed after Hilton Park Lane fire

Trader Vic's restaurant at the London Hilton on Park Lane remains closed after a fire broke out in the basement of the 453-bedroom, 28-storey hotel on Friday evening.

Around 1,500 people, including Black Eyed Peas singer Will.I.Am, were evacuated from the building after the blaze, which is believed to have started in the kitchens, broke out. It took 40 firefighters from the London Fire Brigade several hours to bring it under control.

The fire started at around 6.40pm and guests were eventually allowed back into the hotel at 3.30am on Saturday morning after extensive safety checks had been carried out. There were no reported injuries.

"We did not charge guests for their accommodation and all were offered complimentary breakfast and afternoon tea in the Podium Restaurant and Bar," said a spokesperson for Hilton Worldwide. "A small number of guests were transferred to other hotels in London earlier on Friday evening.

"The hotel is fully operational today, with the exception of Trader Vic's restaurant, which will require minor repair works, and we are hopeful it will be reopened soon. Our team is contacting any guests with immediate reservations in Trader Vic's to offer assistance in booking at alternative Hilton Worldwide restaurants."

An investigation is currently underway regarding the cause of the fire.

Earlier in the day on Friday, the London Hilton on Park Lane had hosted the Silver Clef Awards, attended by a host of music artists including Liza Minnelli and Annie Lennox.

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By Janet Harmer

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