A prominent London nightclub frequented by celebrities is preparing to reopen its doors within the coming days after a substantial fire broke out in the early hours of Monday morning, necessitating a major emergency response.
Emergency Response to Kensington Blaze
The fire erupted at Kensington Roof Gardens, a renowned venue on Kensington High Street that has hosted notable figures including Madonna and Sir Cliff Richard. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) reported receiving the first emergency call at 00:57 on Monday 26th January 2026.
Approximately 40 individuals were safely evacuated from the five-storey building before firefighters arrived at the west London location. The LFB deployed twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters to tackle the blaze, which was brought under control by 03:36 that morning.
Fire Damage and Safety Measures
The fire completely destroyed a plant room situated on the roof of the nine-storey building, though fortunately there was no fire damage reported inside the main building structure. A spokesperson for the nightclub confirmed that nobody was injured during the incident.
"Nobody was hurt and there is no fire damage inside the building," the spokesperson stated. "As a precaution, we are carrying out safety checks and hope to reopen in the next few days. We would like to thank the Kensington & Chelsea fire teams for their swift response."
The London Fire Brigade utilised one of their 32-metre turntable ladders as an observation tower to provide the Incident Commander with an aerial view of the firefighting operation. Crews were mobilised from Kensington, Hammersmith, Chelsea and surrounding fire stations to manage the situation.
Council Response and Historical Context
A Kensington and Chelsea Council spokesperson expressed gratitude for the emergency response, stating: "We would like to thank the London Fire Brigade for their swift response to a fire at a rooftop venue off Kensington High Street in the early hours of Monday morning. We are very grateful that no one was injured and the fire has now been extinguished, and Council specialists will be supporting ongoing safety checks on the building."
The spokesperson added that there might be some disruption in the area while emergency services complete their work.
Kensington Roof Gardens holds significant historical value, having originally opened in 1938. After closing to the public in January 2018 following lease renewal issues between Virgin Limited Edition and the freeholder, the venue underwent substantial renovation and reopened in 2024 as an exclusive private member's club.
The revamped establishment has since become a popular destination for celebrity events, fashion gatherings, social functions, and exclusive club nights. Prior to the pandemic, the venue was famously home to four flamingos, adding to its unique character.
Investigation and Future Operations
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by authorities, with the London Fire Brigade confirming that their inquiries are ongoing. The venue's management has emphasised their commitment to thorough safety checks before welcoming members and guests back to the premises.
This incident represents a significant challenge for one of London's most exclusive entertainment venues, but the swift response from emergency services and the absence of injuries have been highlighted as positive outcomes during what could have been a far more serious situation.
