Major fire threatens to destroy Ritz Paris
Some 60 firefighters are tackling a blaze which is threatening to destroy part of the historic Ritz hotel in Paris, which was due to reopen in a few weeks following a €200 million facelift.
At least 15 fire engines are at the scene of the fire, which broke out at 6am local time this morning.
Nobody was in the five-star hotel when the fire started, but reports say a large part of the city centre building has been affected.
Initial reports suggest the entire top floor has been gutted by the fire, which is threatening to engulf the roof.
People have been evacuated from nearby buildings, including some smaller hotels near the Place de Vendome where the Ritz is located. Police are urging motorists to avoid the area, which is at the heart of the city’s luxury district, near the Opera Garnier.
Captain Yvon Bot, a spokesman for the Paris fire brigade, said: "No one has been hurt…Our concern is to stop the fire spreading to the whole of the roof and seventh floor."
The Ritz is one of the city’s most historic hotels, having been favoured by royalty and film stars since its opening in 1898. Owned by Mohammed el-Fayed, it was where Princess Diana and el-Fayed’s son dined the night of their fatal car crash in 1997.
People posted images of the fire on Twitter, as well as plumes of black smoke which could be seen from across the French capital.
The hotel had been closed since August 2012 for top to bottom renovations after it failed to meet Paris’ new standards for ‘palace’ status and was due to reopen in March.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports