A LUXURY Hampshire hotel is today at the centre of a major probe after it was rocked by a devastating explosion.

The Hilton Hotel in Chilworth was due to reopen this morning nearly 48 hours after a blast tore through its health suite during a fire.

Last night senior hotel managers were still unable to explain the cause of the fire – which sent scores of guests fleeing from their rooms.

But Hampshire Fire and Rescue investigators say they are not treating the blaze as suspicious.

The 44 guests and staff rushed into the car park as the fire took hold in the hotel’s leisure suite at 11.16am on Saturday.

Just moments later an explosion ripped through the back of the building as the first of 55 firefighters arrived to battle the fire which started in the sauna.

The suite sustained severe damage in the fire and explosion, but the blaze did not spread to other parts of the hotel.

Two members of hotel staff suffered the effects of smoke inhalation and were treated by paramedics at the scene.

Guests watching the drama unfold included the Lincoln City football team whose match with Eastleigh FC at the Silverlake Stadium was postponed as the visitors were unable to return to their rooms to collect their kits.

Staff gave the team and fellow guests silver blankets to keep warm and they were eventually taken to the Chilworth Manor Hotel by taxi and new rooms prepared for them.

A spokesman for Hilton Southampton said: “The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing and the hotel team is working closely with the fire department to assist them.”

“We expect to start welcoming guests to Hilton Southampton today.”

Fire crews and Scottish and Southern Energy staff spent the rest of the weekend carrying out inquiries and clearing debris.

Brigade group manager Mark Raven said the service had been called to a “severe blaze” and added: “Subsequently there was an explosion and crews fought very hard to protect the building.

“It caused extensive damage to the rear of the property. It was a sizable explosion.”

He praised staff for helping get everyone out safely and added: “Due to the complexity of the building it took us a long time to deal with the fire. We are clearing out smoke from the building and we are starting an investigation.”

A statement released by Hilton later said: “We can confirm that at 11am a small fire was detected in the sauna of the Living Well Health Club facility.

“The fire brigade was called immediately and the fire was quickly brought under control – with no injuries reported.

“The safety and security of our guests and team members is our utmost priority and all were evacuated from the building and subsequently moved to a local hotel.

“We would like to thank our guests for their understanding and cooperation throughout this period.”