A blaze which tore through a Mayfair restaurant popular with stars was sparked by a sparkler in a drink, the London Fire Brigade has said.
Flames ripped through MNKY HSE on Dover Street on Friday evening, sending hundreds of terrified diners running for their lives.
Footage showed screaming customers fleeing to safety as the establishment went up in just "seven seconds".
It's understood that the inferno was sparked by a sparkler in a cocktail which ignited a nearby Christmas tree.
Footage shared on social media showed diners running in terror - some with a drink still in their hands - before ducking below flames to reach the exit.
Brave staff members helped people flee the dining lounge to the street before fire crews arrived on site.
The restaurant, which specialises in Latin American cuisine, is popular with the Love Island crowd, with some dining there in August following a reunion episode.
Maya Jama and Demi Rose have been known to frequent the spot, while Michelle Keegan and Paige Turley have also been spotted at the Manchester branch.
London Fire Brigade said they were called out at 9.40pm with a blaze in the basement of the building, with Christmas decorations inside the building extinguished before firefighters arrived.
Five fire engines and 35 firefighters arrived at the restaurant but the fire had already been put out, and thermal imaging was used to check everything was in order.
Two people were treated for injuries by ambulance staff.
A spokesperson for the Brigade said the cause of the fire demonstrated the danger of sparklers and candles around decorations, and urged festive partygoers to take care.
The fire "was believed to have been caused by an indoor sparkler catching a natural Christmas tree alight", the spokesperson said.
“There are many fire hazards over Christmas and we want Londoners to be safe and take steps to prevent fires from occurring and spoiling the festive season.
"Please keep candles or in this case indoor fireworks away from Christmas trees and decorations.
"Even a well-watered tree can easily burn so make sure your lights are tested, and naked flames kept well away.
“Other fire hazards over Christmas include fairy lights, overloaded plug sockets, cooking left unattended – or carried out after a festive tipple.
"Fire is devastating at anytime of year but this is heightened more at Christmas time. Please heed our warnings, check your smoke alarms and have a merry Christmas.”
