"Projects like this are complex for lots of reasons, the main one being that the initial stages are very different to a normal architectural project,” Ms Pillman, whose firm Donald Insall Associates helped convert the building into a hotel, said.
Architect Harriet Pillman, whose firm previously worked on the building, said restoration work on the Victorian building was likely to be “complex for lots of reasons".
Located on Chiltern Street, the firehouse occupies a historic Victorian fire station, originally built in 1889 as the Chiltern Street Fire Station.
“We know in fact one of those who rushed to the Chiltern Firehouse this evening had been stationed in the building when it was a fire station 30 years ago.
American hotel tycoon Andre Balazs, who owns the venue as well as Hollywood's Chateau Marmont, said the cause is under investigation and the Chiltern Firehouse would be closed until further notice.
