Restaurant Kitchen Fire in Soho Leaves Two Staff With Severe Burns

Two kitchen staff at a popular Soho restaurant are being treated for severe burns at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital's specialist burns unit after a devastating fire erupted during Friday evening's dinner service. The blaze broke out at approximately 8:40pm at Marchetti's, an Italian restaurant on Frith Street, when a deep-fat fryer reportedly malfunctioned and ignited cooking oil that rapidly spread across the kitchen.

The Fire and Its Immediate Aftermath

London Fire Brigade dispatched four fire engines and approximately 25 firefighters from Soho, Euston, and Lambeth fire stations to tackle the blaze. Station Commander Patricia Nwankwo, who led the response, said: "When our crews arrived, thick black smoke was pouring from the rear of the building and the kitchen was fully involved. Our priority was to ensure all staff and diners were evacuated safely while bringing the fire under control. The fire was contained to the kitchen area and extinguished within approximately 45 minutes."

The two injured workers — a 24-year-old sous chef and a 31-year-old line cook — sustained burns to their arms, hands, and faces while attempting to suppress the initial fire before the brigade arrived. Both were treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service paramedics before being transferred to the specialist burns unit.

Diners Evacuated in Panic

Approximately 85 diners were evacuated from the restaurant, with several reporting breathing difficulties from smoke inhalation. Customer Rebecca Marsh, 36, who was celebrating her birthday at the restaurant, described the terrifying evacuation: "We heard shouting from the kitchen and then suddenly there was this wall of smoke. The staff were brilliant — they got everyone out quickly — but you could see one of the chefs had been badly burned. His sleeves were singed and he was in obvious agony. It was genuinely frightening."

Health and Safety Concerns Emerge

Initial reports suggest the fire may have been caused by a faulty thermostat on a commercial deep-fat fryer that caused the oil to overheat beyond its flash point. Westminster City Council's environmental health team has launched an investigation into whether the restaurant's kitchen equipment was properly maintained and inspected.

A spokesperson for the council said: "We take fire safety in commercial kitchens extremely seriously. Our officers will be examining maintenance records for all kitchen equipment, the adequacy of fire suppression systems, staff training in fire procedures, and compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. Depending on our findings, enforcement action may follow."

Restaurant Industry Under Pressure

The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in London's hospitality sector, where staff shortages and cost pressures have led to concerns about equipment maintenance being deferred. The British Hospitality Association reported that 34 per cent of London restaurants surveyed in 2025 admitted to postponing non-essential equipment servicing due to rising operational costs. Marchetti's owner, Giovanni Marchetti, said: "Our hearts go out to our two colleagues. Their welfare is our absolute priority. We are cooperating fully with all investigations and will not reopen until we are completely satisfied that our kitchen is safe."