Early morning on Saturday 22 November, the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill experienced a gas explosion in the hotel’s basement. No guests were injured, but Hyatt states that several hotel associates sustained injuries, four of whom were treated at area hospitals. As of the morning of Sunday 23 November, one associate remained hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.
Hyatt are currently working to provide guests with accommodation and are co-operating with local authorities to determine the extent of the damage at the hotel and to understand the cause of the incident.
The London Fire Brigade reports that the explosion was in the hotel basement and has caused extensive damage to the basement and the ground floor. Five cars in a neighbouring street were also damaged.
Around 400 people were evacuated from the hotel by staff to a neighbouring hotel.
A dangerous structures engineer was on site in addition to gas authorities and the cause of the explosion is being investigated – it is believed to have been caused by a suspected gas leak.