A fire broke out at a party hosted by tennis legend Roger Federer at a Wimbledon mansion on Sunday afternoon, shortly after the conclusion of the grass court tournament.
The blaze was reportedly started by two women who flicked cigarette butts onto wooden chippings, according to a report from The Sun via the New York Post. "Audible gasps" spread through the approximately 400 guests as the fire began to spread.
Security personnel quickly responded with hoses and buckets of water, containing the flames within about 20 minutes. Extinguishing efforts continued for approximately an hour.
Guests were moved away from the scene. The two women responsible for starting the fire were escorted from the premises. A charity auction that was part of the event was able to proceed.
Despite the interruption, a guest described the evening as "hugely successful and fun." The lavish party featured entertainment such as a magician and a falconry display, and reportedly included boxing champion Anthony Joshua's belts and champagne.
Federer, an eight-time Wimbledon champion, was among the attendees, which also included MMA champion Tom Aspinall and snooker player Steve Davis. Federer had been a visible presence at the tournament, occupying a seat in the Royal Box.