LONDON (AP) The Latest on a fire at London's Mandarin Hotel (all times local):
5:55 p.m.
The London Fire Brigade says firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are searching the city's Mandarin Oriental Hotel to make sure no one is inside.
A fire at the 12-story luxury hotel on Wednesday afternoon prompted an evacuation of staff and guests.
The blaze appeared to have started high in the building or on the roof since black smoke poured from the top of the hotel.
Fire Brigade Station Manager Pam Oparaocha says firefighters are "working extremely hard to bring the fire under control" and are likely to be on the scene for several hours.
One witness said laborers had been working Wednesday on the roof of the 116-year-old hotel, which has recently been renovated.
The fire brigade says the cause of the fire is not yet known.
___
5:05 p.m.
The volume of black smoke billowing from a fire at London's Mandarin Oriental has gone down significantly after about an hour.
The London Fire Brigade dispatched 15 fire engines and 97 firefighters to respond to the blaze at the 12-story luxury hotel on Wednesday afternoon in the city's ritzy Knightsbridge area.
The cause of the fire is not yet known. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
The hotel says: "As the situation is still unfolding, we have no further details to share at this time, but will provide an update soon."
The thick plumes from the fire could be seen for miles earlier.
___
4:40 p.m.
London Fire Brigade says about 100 firefighters are tackling a blaze at a luxury hotel.
Video footage shows smoke billowing from the roof of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London's ritzy Knightsbridge area.
The fire brigade says it was called just before 4 p.m. (1500 GMT) to the 12-story hotel. It says 15 fire engines and 97 firefighters are at the scene.
Smoke from the fire can be seen for miles. The major road in front of the hotel has been closed, causing rush-hour traffic chaos in that part of London.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.