More than 100 firefighters were called to tackle a blaze in a hotel and apartment complex in Bayswater today.

The fire reportedly broke out in the Royal Court Hotel in Gloucester Terrace, spreading to a lift shaft, part of the fourth and fifth floors and roof of the building.

Around 15 people were evacuated before firefighters arrived, but no injuries were reported. In all 120 firefighters and officers and 20 fire engines attended the scene, with the first of them arriving shortly after the alarm was raised at 11.30am.

It was three-and-three-quarter hours before firefighters, who attended from as far afield as Hornsey, Tooting and Heston, had the blaze under control, and they remained for some time damping down the scene.

Station manager Nick Comery, who was at the scene, said: “Firefighters worked hard and did well tackle a challenging and well developed fire. Fifteen people escaped from the building before the crews arrived and thankfully no-one was hurt. Our fire investigation team is now working to determine what caused the blaze.”