Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire at a hotel on Whitehall Court in Westminster.
Part of an internal comms room on the ground floor of an eight-storey hotel was damaged by the fire. Around 250 guests and staff left the building before the Brigade arrived. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued one woman via an internal staircase using a fire escape hood. She was treated on scene for smoke inhalation.
Fire escape hoods provide members of the public with up to 15 minutes protection from four of the main fire gases (carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride and acrolein) and can be worn by conscious or unconscious people. If more than 15 minutes protection is required then another hood can be given to each wearer. They do not provide oxygen but temporarily filter toxic smoke to make breathing easier.
The Brigade was called at 2251 and the fire was under control by 0005 (Sunday). Fire crews from Soho and Lambeth fire stations were at the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.