Netflix’s Bafta afterparty thrown into chaos as fire breaks out at luxury venue popular with A-list stars
NETFLIX's annual Bafta afterparty has been thrown into chaos after a fire broke out at the luxury hotel they have hired out.
After months of preparations and tens of thousands of pounds spent, the A-list bash at Chiltern Firehouse in Central London has been called off.
Guests of Netflix, including American A-listers including Selena Gomez, 32, and Zoe Saldana, 46, were thought to have suites booked at the hotel.
Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park, CBE, is also understood to be due to check into the venue ahead of Sunday's ceremony.
A source said: "This is the ultimate nightmare for Netflix and organisers.
"Every year they spent tens of thousands of pounds to put on the biggest and best BAFTA afterparty around.
READ MORE ON THE BAFTAS
"Right now everything hangs in the balance while they get the blaze under control and assess the damage."
Preparations were well underway to host Hollywood royalty at Chiltern Firehouse on Sunday night at the venue - with some of their film talent also staying at the hotel.
Now a source has told The Sun that the global streamer has been forced to change venues for the bash.
A new location will have to confirmed last minute before the highly anticipated awards ceremony on Sunday.
Most read in Showbiz
The guest list is thought to be in the hundreds with guests of previous years including Ellie Goulding, Paul Mescal and
On Friday a fire broke out at the historic Chiltern Firehouse hotel and restaurant in London's Marylebone.
The fire was so great it spread from the ground floor all the way up to the roof and over 100 guests were evacuated.
It said in a statement, the London Fire brigade said: "Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters have been called to a fire at a hotel and restaurant on Chiltern Street in Marylebone.
"The ducting in the extraction system from the ground floor to the roof of the building is alight.
"Around 100 people were evacuated before the Brigade arrived."
Chiltern Firehouse owner statement
Andre Balazs, owner of Chiltern Firehouse made a statement after a fire ravaged the celebrity hotspot.
Earlier this evening, a fire broke out at Chiltern Firehouse. We are grateful to confirm that no one was hurt, and our guests and staff safely evacuated. The fire has now been fully contained.
It is with heartfelt gratitude and appreciation that we watched a remarkable 140 fire fighters from over 20 stations rapidly descend on what they told me was a hugely sentimental building for so many of them. We know in fact one of those who rushed to the Chiltern Firehouse this evening had been stationed in the building when it was a fire station 30 years ago.
I am truly grateful to all of them as I am sure that this is not the Valentine's Day evening they had in mind. As of now, as this is still a live situation, we do not have confirmation of what may have caused the fire, but the fire services are investigating.
In the meantime, the Chiltern Firehouse will remain closed until further notice.
They added: "The Brigade was called at 14:52. Fire crews from Soho, Euston and Paddington fire stations are at the scene.
"The cause of the fire is not known at this time."
Andre Balazs, owner of Chiltern Firehouse in London said; "Earlier this evening, a fire broke out at Chiltern Firehouse.
"We are grateful to confirm that no one was hurt, and our guests and staff safely evacuated. The fire has now been fully contained."
He continued: "It is with heartfelt gratitude and appreciation that we watched a remarkable 140 fire fighters from over 20 stations rapidly descend on what they told me was a hugely sentimental building for so many of them.
"We know in fact one of those who rushed to the Chiltern Firehouse this evening had been stationed in the building when it was a fire station 30 years ago.
"I am truly grateful to all of them as I am sure that this is not the Valentine's Day evening they had in mind."
Adding: "As of now, as this is still a live situation, we do not have confirmation of what may have caused the fire, but the fire services are investigating.
Read More on The Sun
"In the meantime, the Chiltern Firehouse will remain closed until further notice."
The Sun has also approached representatives of Netflix for comment.
