At least 14 people were injured after a gas leak explosion at a central London hotel Friday night, local media say.

One hotel guest explains what happened.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) CHURCHILL HYATT REGENCY LONDON HOTEL GUEST, MARWAN HAMMAD, SAYING:

" ...suddenly I just heard this horrible explosion, terrible explosion and the building itself started to sort of shake for a while. I started to say, is it a fire drill? I thought it might be a fire drill or something, then I realised it was serious when the voice started coming out and saying you'd have to leave the building immediately, which I did."

A statement from the hotel said they were providing guests with alternative accommodations.

But even for those who lived nearby, the incident caused inconveniences.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED LOCAL RESIDENT, SAYING:

"... cops show up a few minutes later. They cordon off the area and tell me I can't go into my apartment. The area's seized off, gas