‘Birthplace’ of Harry Potter damaged by fire

A CAFE in Edinburgh where JK Rowling wrote her early Harry Potter drafts, making it a magnet for fans of the books, has been damaged in a large fire.

The blaze, which caused chaos in the centre of the Scottish capital yesterday, damaged The Elephant House, on George IV bridge, which claims to be the birthplace of Harry Potter.

It is believed the fire started in a branch of Patisserie Valerie next door. It was first reported shortly after 6am by a cleaner.

One person was taken to hospital. Emergency services said several properties had been affected and more than 60 firefighters tackled the blaze with 12 fire engines.

JK Rowling last year disputed that the café was the true “birthplace” of Harry Potter as she had started writing the first novel while she lived in Clapham, London.

However, she confirmed that she had written in The Elephant House after she moved to Edinburgh in December 1993, and said she would “let them off ” over their claim.