A HUGE fire has devastated part of London's iconic Camden Lock Market.
Fire crews have been hailed for preventing an 'absolute disaster' at flames which tore through retail units were brought under control in around three-and-a-half hours.
What is Camden Lock Market?
Camden Lock has become one of London's most popular attractions and draws in 28 million visitors each year.
The area itself grew into a cultural hub during the 1960s with the opening of the Roundhouse arts venue and independent bookstores such as Compedium Books.
The market began with the conversion of an old timber yard, which started as 16 stalls and became entwined with the punk movement of the late 1970s.
Today, it is known for its second-hand clothes and record stalls as well as selling street food from around the world.
However, it's timber yard origins means many retail units in the area are still made of wood and could be more vulnerable to fire.
The Canal Market was ravaged by a blaze in 2008 which caused £30million of damage when a fire started by a gas heater spread to the nearby Hawley Arms pub.
In 2014, around 600 people had to be evacuated as flames swept through the Stables Market.
Where did the fire first start?
Eye-witnesses have said the blaze appears to have started in Gilgamesh restaurant before spreading to nearby retail units.
Fire crews were called shortly before midnight and police and paramedics raced to the scene minutes later as the flames quickly spread.
Onlookers described the flames as "moving very fast" and could be seen sweeping through other shops and restaurants such as Honest Burger.
Fire crews managed to stop the fire spreading to neighbouring buildings and the blaze was extinguished at around 3.30am.
An investigation has been launched by London Fire Brigade into exactly what started the inferno.
Which shops, bars and restaurants have been affected?
The full extent of the damage is not yet clear.
Fire crews are still damping down the scene this morning and beginning their inspections of damaged properties.
It is believed firefighters managed to limit the blaze to a small section of the market including a number of stalls and at least one building containing restaurants.
London Fire Brigade confirmed last night the fire had spread through the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors and the roof of the premises.
Some parts of Camden Market were able to open as usual just hours after the blaze was put out but Camden Lock Place remains sealed off.
Was anyone hurt?
Luckily, businesses in the affected area had closed for the night when the blaze broke out.
No-one is reported to have been injured and it is understood all staff and other people inside the building have been accounted for.
A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "We were called at 00.07 today (10th July) to reports of a fire at Camden Lock Market.
"We sent a clinical team leader and our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) to the scene. We have not treated any patients."
What did eye-witnesses see?
Onlookers described the fire "moving very fast", raising fears of explosions if it reached nearby restaurants.
Eyewitness Danny Judge, who was working at the Lockside Lounge bar, said: “In just a few minutes the flames went from nothing to absolutely everywhere.
“It spread so quickly and the heat was intense. Security quickly started evacuating people from the bar — there was just a sense of shock.
"Luckily the area should have been empty at this time of night as it was closed.”
Witness Joan Ribes, 24, added: "I was just passing by when I saw the fire and they started to get firefighters and police, it was all very fast.
"We called the police to close the street to the traffic because it was very dangerous, the fire was flying through the air to the surrounding areas.
"The fire was moving very fast. People were watching, but we were scared the building could explode at any time since there are restaurants with kitchens nearby."
most read
Source: Read Full Article
