A huge blaze has broken out at a Holiday Inn hotel believed to be housing asylum seekers in London. 

Around 40 firefighters and six fire engines were called to the scene on Empire Way, near Wembley Stadium in the north-west of the capital, at 12.34pm today.

Large plumes of thick black smoke were seen billowing from the building in footage shared on social media and the fire service has launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze.

The Home Office told the Daily Mail that the fire has been 'brought under control' but said it would not comment on individual hotels. 

The hotel has been 'temporarily closed' to guests since August last year due to being used to house an unknown number of migrants. 

Asylum seekers living in the Holiday Inn previously likened the conditions there to a 'prison'. 

Others complained about the food and said they had waited nearly two years to be found a new home. 

A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: 'Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters are responding to a fire at a hotel on Empire Way, Wembley. 

'The Brigade received the first of 29 calls reporting the fire at 12.34pm. 

'Control officers mobilised crews from Park Royal, Willesden, Northolt and surrounding fire stations to the scene. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control by 1.21pm.

'The cause of the fire is under investigation.'

The blaze comes as fire services up and down the country have been stretched by wildfires breaking out during the latest heatwave.

The Government has now imposed a temporary ban on disposable barbecues, which it says pose a 'a significant risk to the public' due to the heat.

Yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far, with some parts of the country experiencing temperatures of 38.1C. 

Guidance published this afternoon states: 'During the current drought and heatwave conditions, the government considers that the supply and subsequent foreseeable use of disposable barbecues poses a significant risk to the public, and the environment, and therefore cannot be considered a safe product.

'They should not be made available for supply either in store or online at the current time.

'These guidelines will be kept under review, and will be withdrawn in consultation with relevant departments and agencies, as weather conditions change sufficiently to significantly reduce the risks.'

It comes as at least six houses were destroyed on Stourbridge's Brunswick Gate, the town's most expensive street that is lined with large family homes worth at least £1million and sits opposite a golf course.

Up to 30 properties in total were damaged as firefighters fought the blaze in the West Midlands, which spread rapidly through dry grass and woodland yesterday afternoon – setting alight homes with residents forced to flee.

One evacuated resident said police told her to leave quickly because they 'thought the fire was changing directions' – so it was 'literally grab what you need and get out'.

Other witnesses said the flames 'jumped from house to house' while people grabbed what they could. A child and three firefighters were among those taken to hospital.

Drone footage from smoke-filled skies over the leafy market town showed the blaze threatening to engulf even more properties on the edge of a badly scorched field.

Around 100 firefighters were tackling the inferno which broke out near Stourbridge Golf Course, obliterating 40 acres of land. Golfers are said to have fled in their carts.

Residents said ash was 'raining down' amid the 'very strong' smoke. Some of the affected homes were on Brunswick Gate, where one sold for £1.25million in 2024.

Other large detached homes sold for £875,000 in 2017 and £900,000 in 2012 on what estate agents have previously dubbed Stourbridge's most expensive road.