More than 30 guests and staff were evacuated from a central London hotel after a fire started accidentally by a smoker.
Firefighters raced to the three-star Mabledon Court between King’s Cross and St Pancras stations at around 2am on Saturday.
Part of the basement was damaged.
Around 36 people left the building before the brigade arrived.
Crews rescued two others from the fourth floor via an internal staircase using escape hoods.
A turntable ladder was used to bring down another pair at the hotel on Mabledon Place.
All were assessed on scene by London Ambulance Service crews, London Fire Brigade said.
A spokeswoman added: “The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by the unsafe disposal of smoking materials.”
Brigade control officers took the first of three calls at 1.59am and sent crews from Soho, Islington, Kentish Town and surrounding stations to the scene.
It was was extinguished by 3.10am.
LFB said: “If you’re a smoker, it’s absolutely vital you ensure your cigarette is completely out when you’ve finished smoking it.
“If you don’t, you risk causing a fire which could not only destroy your home but also cost you your life.”
Last month, more than 25 firefighters tackled a blaze at a cigarette smoker’s flat in west London.
Fifteen people were evacuated as flames destroyed part of a ground floor apartment in an end of terrace house on St Luke’s Road, Notting Hill.
Mabledon Court Hotel was approached for comment.
LFB released a list of smoking safety tips as part of its campaign following the incident, including using sturdy ashtrays that cannot be tipped over and making sure cigarettes are completely stubbed out.
Extra care should be taken when smoking if tired, taking prescription medication or after consuming alcohol.
The advice is to wet discarded butts before throwing them away and never dispose of them in a wastepaper basket.
