Fire rips thorugh one of most luxurious hotels in the Alps
A five-star hotel where rooms go for up to £11,000 a night has been damaged in a fire.
The fire broke out at the Grandes Alpes hotel in Courchevel 1850 at around 7pm yesterday.
Around 100 people had to be evacuated from the building to a municipal hall, along with another 200 people who had been staying at the neighbouring Lana Hotel.
An emergency services spokesman said the fire was still being contained this morning after it spread quickly through woodwork.
Bruno Charlot, the sub-prefect in nearby Albertville, said: ‘The Grandes Alpes guests were quickly relocated to other hotels in the resort.
‘The fire spread considerably overnight, despite the firefighters’ efforts. Their work is complicated by the roof’s structure.
‘It’s very difficult to reach the flames that are running under a roof made of slate and sheet metal.
‘It requires removing the stones and sawing through the sheets before anyone can even access the fire. A thick layer of snow on the roof only makes matters worse. It will be hours before the fire is extinguished.’
Some of the firefighters suffered minor injuries and an investigation is underway.
The hotel is comprised of nine apartments of varying sizes and provides a butler service, Michelin-starred restaurants, a swimming pool, and sauna.
Courchevel 1850 is one of the most exclusive resorts in the Alps, attracting the likes of the Beckhams, Robbie Williams and Ian Botham.
It has also hosted the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who, in 2016, arrived on a private jet believed to have been provided by the Duke of Westminster.
The latest Alpine ski resort fire follows the devastating blaze in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on New Year’s Day, when 40 people died and 116 were severely burned at the Constellation bar in the town.
The bar’s owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are currently under criminal investigation for manslaughter by negligence, following claims that sparklers attached to champagne bottles ignited soundproofing foam in the basement ceiling.
The Morettis, who are French, deny any wrongdoing, as the investigation continues.
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