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Koko Camden: Fire engulfs famous music venue | Koko Camden: Fire engulfs famous music venue |
(about 8 hours later) | |
One of London's most famous music venues has been badly damaged in a blaze. | |
The dome on the roof of Koko in Camden has been destroyed by fire, according to the London Fire Brigade. | The dome on the roof of Koko in Camden has been destroyed by fire, according to the London Fire Brigade. |
Sixty firefighters helped fight the flames after the blaze broke out just before 21:00 GMT on Monday. No injuries have been reported. | |
The venue began life as the Camden Theatre in 1900 and has hosted stars including Madonna, Coldplay and Prince. | |
Station commander Jon Lewis said the fire was brought under control at about 02:30 on Tuesday, adding: "Firefighters' quick action and hard work in the early stages meant the fire was contained to the roof and saved the rest of the building." | Station commander Jon Lewis said the fire was brought under control at about 02:30 on Tuesday, adding: "Firefighters' quick action and hard work in the early stages meant the fire was contained to the roof and saved the rest of the building." |
Koko owner Olly Bengough said he was "deeply saddened", adding: "We'll be doing our best to get the redevelopment of this iconic building back on track." | |
Koko, which was closed for refurbishment, was also previously known as the Camden Palace and Camden Hippodrome and has been one of the capital's most iconic live music venues for decades. | |
The Rolling Stones, The Clash and Ed Sheeran are among other star names to have performed at the venue, which is close to Mornington Crescent underground station. | The Rolling Stones, The Clash and Ed Sheeran are among other star names to have performed at the venue, which is close to Mornington Crescent underground station. |
It was reportedly the last venue where AC/DC's Bon Scott was seen drinking before his death from alcohol poisoning in 1980. | It was reportedly the last venue where AC/DC's Bon Scott was seen drinking before his death from alcohol poisoning in 1980. |
In the early 80s it served as a major venue for the punk and New Romantic scene, with singer Steve Strange of the band Visage holding club nights. | In the early 80s it served as a major venue for the punk and New Romantic scene, with singer Steve Strange of the band Visage holding club nights. |
Music lovers have been sharing their Koko memories on Twitter. | |
Veteran DJ Tony Blackburn who held his legendary soul nights Shakatak also tweeted about the fire. | Veteran DJ Tony Blackburn who held his legendary soul nights Shakatak also tweeted about the fire. |
Koko and the nearby Roundhouse effectively "bookended" Camden's music scene, according to music writer Carl Allen. | Koko and the nearby Roundhouse effectively "bookended" Camden's music scene, according to music writer Carl Allen. |
On Twitter, the Roundhouse said it was "really sad" to hear the news about its Camden neighbours. | |
Camden Council leader Georgia Gould said on Monday night: "Heartbreaking watching the Camden Palace/Koko up in flames this evening, a building that holds so many memories and means so much to us in Camden." | |
The venue was set to reopen in the spring after a "major state-of-the-art" refurbishment, after the purchase of two adjacent buildings. | The venue was set to reopen in the spring after a "major state-of-the-art" refurbishment, after the purchase of two adjacent buildings. |
An investigation is under way into how the fire started. | |