Hotel fire forces evacuation of 1,500

LONDON, July 2 (UPI) -- About 1,500 people were evacuated from London's Park Lane Hilton hotel when a fire broke out following a music awards ceremony, officials said.

The Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Awards had just concluded when the fire, thought to have started in a basement kitchen, broke out, The Daily Telegraph reported.

The London Fire Brigade sent four engines and about 20 firefighters to the hotel about 7 p.m. Friday. Police said no one was injured in the fire.

Such celebrities as Annie Lennox and Liza Minnelli attended the awards celebration. Sir Paul McCartney won an award for best live act, with Lennox taking the evening's main prize, the Silver Clef, to mark her musical achievements over the past 30 years.