HUGE FIRE RIPS THROUGH MARKETS
FIREFIGHTERS have struggled to contain a large blaze that has ripped through London’s iconic Camden Lock Markets, causing extensive damage to the tourist hub.
The London Fire Brigade said it sent 10 fire engines and 70 firefighters to the area, but it still took more than three hours to contain the blaze.
“The Camden Market fire is now under control but crews will be damping down into the morning,” the London Fire Brigade announced. Vision shows part of the shopping and clubbing complex well-engulfed in flames late yesterday London time (about 9am AEST).
Camden High Street was closed and nearby access lanes restricted to emergency services use as firefighters tackled the blaze.
The fire is believed to have started in a part of the market used by several restaurants and kitchens, before spreading through three floors and the roof of a major building. Firefighters fought to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby timber structures.
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.”
Camden Markets is a cluster of several buildings containing more than 1000 shops and stalls.
About 30 million people visit the iconic markets each year.