Netflix has swiftly shifted its annual BAFTA afterparty to a new venue after a fire disrupted plans at the Chiltern Firehouse. The incident, which took place on Friday afternoon in London’s Marylebone neighborhood, led to the safe evacuation of over 100 guests and staff. Firefighters from several stations contained the blaze that affected the historic building, prompting its closure until further notice.
The global streaming service will now host the star-studded event at The Twenty Two, a luxury hotel in Mayfair’s Grosvenor Square. This change comes less than 24 hours after the fire, leaving organizers scrambling to ensure that the celebration honoring its talent proceeds without interruption.
Netflix’s party, traditionally held after the BAFTA Film Awards, has evolved into a favorite event on the post-awards circuit, drawing a mix of actors, filmmakers, and industry executives. Previous years have seen notable names like Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldana, and Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park in attendance, along with an impressive guest list featuring Ellie Goulding, Paul Mescal, and Andrew Scott.
Owner Andre Balazs expressed his gratitude for the rapid response from the emergency services, recalling that one of the firefighters had served in the building when it operated as a fire station decades ago. He confirmed that there were no injuries and praised the efforts of the teams involved in managing the crisis.
Netflix, which heads into BAFTA night with 16 nominations including multiple honors for titles such as “Emilia Pérez” and “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl,” is expected to maintain its tradition of an energetic celebration into the early hours.
