Fire at the Randolph Hotel

Smoke could be seen across Oxford


A major fire set the Randolph Hotel ablaze this afternoon.

The blaze is believed to have happened between 4pm and 5pm today.

Magdalen Street and Beaumont Street have been cordoned off and traffic has been diverted.

The staff at the Ashmolean museum have been told to stay inside and the Randolph have been receiving support from nearby hotel Malmaison.


Smoke spread across the city centre and has affected some traffic with buses having to be diverted from normal routes.

The Oxfordshire County Council released this statement: “The call was received by fire and rescue at 16:39 and a total of 14 fire appliances have been sent to the Beaumont Street hotel – including two high-reach appliances.

“Firefighters have not had to rescue anybody from the blaze and the building has been evacuated.”

Both the emergency services and the Randolph Hotel appear to have acted perfectly with no casualties (but it does mean we can’t get to Tesco for our pres tonight).