Mandarin fire's effect on construction schedule unclear

Construction officials say it is too early to determine whether this morning's fire at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Boylston Street will delay the scheduled July opening of the luxury complex of hotel rooms, apartments, condominiums, and restaurants.

At this point, we need our team at Suffolk to assess the schedule and any potential impacts," said Kim Steimle, a spokeswoman for Suffolk Construction Co. Inc., the primary builder on the $240 million project.

The four-alarm fire broke out at 7:43 a.m. at the 14-story structure in three rooms on the fourth floor containing construction materials, including cabinetry being built for the hotel. The Boston Fire Department is investigating the cause of the fire.

A preliminary inspection of the area, however, indicated the fire largely occurred on the fourth floor, though there may be water damage on lower floors, said deputy fire chief Richard DiBenedetto, who was at the scene. The fire started in the fitness center, which will be used by hotel residents, condo owners, and apartment dwellers in the Mandarin complex, which is part of the Prudential Center.

Steimle said she did not know whether fire damage occurred on the fifth or higher floors.

The Mandarin has created a buzz around town because the condominiums -- priced from $2 million to $12 million -- are among the city's most expensive and are part of a complex being operated by one of the world's most expensive hotel chains. Well-known business leaders who have purchased condos in the project include auto dealer Herb Chambers and Bank of America Corp. chairman emeritus Chad Gifford.

. Steimle said condos are on the ninth floor and above.

"We believe at this point it [the fire] was limited to the hotel portion of the building," she said. "It did not impact the condo area."

For previous Globe coverage of the Mandarin Oriental project, click here.

(By Kimberly Blanton, Globe staff)