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Koko Camden fire: Music venue engulfed in flames Koko Camden: Fire engulfs famous music venue
(32 minutes later)
Dozens of firefighters have spent the night tackling a blaze at one of London's most famous music venues. Firefighters have spent the night tackling a blaze at one of London's most famous music venues.
The London Fire Brigade says at one point a third of the roof of Koko in Camden, which is currently being refurbished, was alight. The London Fire Brigade said at one point a third of the roof of Koko in Camden, which is currently closed for refurbishment, was alight.
Smoke and flames could be seen billowing from scaffolding in the roof just before 21:00 GMT on Monday. Smoke and flames could be seen billowing from the roof just before 21:00 GMT on Monday.
About 60 firefighters helped tackle the blaze, which was brought under control after about five hours. Sixty firefighters helped fight the flames, which were brought under control after about five hours.
Crews will remain at the scene throughout the morning and have warned people to stay away from the area. No injuries have been reported.
Station commander Jon Lewis said: "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: "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."
Oliver Cooper, a Conservative councillor who witnessed the fire, said on Twitter: "Devastated by the potential loss of such a huge part of Camden's culture." Crews will remain at the scene throughout the morning and have warned people to stay away from the area. No injuries have been reported.
Koko, which began life as the Camden Theatre in 1900, was also previously known as the Camden Palace and Camden Hippodrome, and has been one of the most iconic live music venues in London for decades. Koko, which began life as the Camden Theatre in 1900, was previously known as the Camden Palace and Camden Hippodrome and has been one of the most iconic live music venues in London for decades.
It was reportedly the last venue where AC/DC's Bon Scott was seen drinking at 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 also 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.
Acts such as Madonna, The Rolling Stones and Prince have performed at the venue, which is close to Mornington Crescent underground station. Madonna, The Rolling Stones and Prince have performed at the venue, which is close to Mornington Crescent underground station.
Veteran DJ Tony Blackburn who held his legendary soul nights Shakatak also tweeted about the fire: Members of the public have been sharing their Koko memories on Twitter.
Camden Council leader Georgia Gould said: "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." Veteran DJ Tony Blackburn who held his legendary soul nights Shakatak also tweeted about the fire.
Camden Council leader Georgia Gould said: "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."
Holborn and St Pancras MP Sir Keir Starmer said: "Awful news in Camden tonight. Incredible response from our firefighters. As Georgina Gould says, we owe them so much."Holborn and St Pancras MP Sir Keir Starmer said: "Awful news in Camden tonight. Incredible response from our firefighters. As Georgina Gould says, we owe them so much."
The venue was set to re-open in the spring after a "major state-of-the-art" refurbishment, after the purchase of two adjacent buildings.The venue was set to re-open in the spring after a "major state-of-the-art" refurbishment, after the purchase of two adjacent buildings.