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| Blaze shuts famous markets area | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Police are warning people to avoid parts of Camden, north London, after a fire ravaged the world famous markets area on Saturday. | |
| Surrounding roads are expected to stay closed for several days as damage is assessed in Camden Canal Market. | |
| Some 100 firefighters tackled the blaze, which severely damaged storage buildings and the Hawley Arms pub. | |
| Six people, including three children, spent the night at a sports centre after homes were evacuated. | |
| Camden Council said 100 beds were made available for people at the sports centre, and about 20-odd who initially turned up were found overnight accommodation at hotels. | |
| A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Chalk Farm Road and parts of Camden High Street, as well as surrounding one way streets, are expected to be closed for the next three or four days." | A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Chalk Farm Road and parts of Camden High Street, as well as surrounding one way streets, are expected to be closed for the next three or four days." |
| It's very sad. It's a well-known party area Billy Reeves Eyewitness accounts of blaze | It's very sad. It's a well-known party area Billy Reeves Eyewitness accounts of blaze |
| The closures are to allow structural engineers to assess the damage to buildings. | |
| The markets area is a major tourist attraction attracting up to 300,000 visitors each weekend to its six open-air and indoor markets and vibrant mix of bars, clubs, shops and restaurants. | |
| London Fire Brigade said there were no reports of casualties. | London Fire Brigade said there were no reports of casualties. |
| LFB station manager Guy Foster said: "I have had no reports of any casualties, injuries or rescues and I believe that all people who were in the area at the time of the fire are now accounted for. | LFB station manager Guy Foster said: "I have had no reports of any casualties, injuries or rescues and I believe that all people who were in the area at the time of the fire are now accounted for. |
| "When firefighters arrived they found an intense fire and they have done incredibly well to get it under control so quickly. | "When firefighters arrived they found an intense fire and they have done incredibly well to get it under control so quickly. |
| "The decision was taken to clear a large area around the fire because we believed there were propane gas canisters in some of the market stalls. | "The decision was taken to clear a large area around the fire because we believed there were propane gas canisters in some of the market stalls. |
| "The police had to carry out a large operation to clear what is a very busy area on a Saturday night and they have done an excellent job to enable us to fight the fire effectively. | "The police had to carry out a large operation to clear what is a very busy area on a Saturday night and they have done an excellent job to enable us to fight the fire effectively. |
| "Fire investigators are already on the scene but it is far too early to make any guesses about what might have started the fire." | "Fire investigators are already on the scene but it is far too early to make any guesses about what might have started the fire." |
| Residents had also been evacuated from some houses and flats. | Residents had also been evacuated from some houses and flats. |
| A spokeswoman for Camden Council said: "We have opened Talacre Sports Centre as a rest centre for those who have been evacuated from their homes and beds and refreshments have been made available." | A spokeswoman for Camden Council said: "We have opened Talacre Sports Centre as a rest centre for those who have been evacuated from their homes and beds and refreshments have been made available." |
| She also said the centre, which has 100 beds available, would be kept open for "as long as it is needed". | She also said the centre, which has 100 beds available, would be kept open for "as long as it is needed". |
| Evacuees are being advised to call the council's emergency line on 0207 974 4444 for the latest information on rehousing. | Evacuees are being advised to call the council's emergency line on 0207 974 4444 for the latest information on rehousing. |
| Camden Council is organising a meeting to help businesses affected by the fire on Sunday. Details will be posted on the council's website. | Camden Council is organising a meeting to help businesses affected by the fire on Sunday. Details will be posted on the council's website. |
| Firefighters were alerted at about 7.20pm on Saturday to the blaze, which has reportedly consumed part of the Hawley Arms, a popular Camden pub which is frequented by celebrities including singer Amy Winehouse. | Firefighters were alerted at about 7.20pm on Saturday to the blaze, which has reportedly consumed part of the Hawley Arms, a popular Camden pub which is frequented by celebrities including singer Amy Winehouse. |
| Revellers from local pubs and bars were moved away from the danger area, where flames were leaping up to 30ft in the air. | Revellers from local pubs and bars were moved away from the danger area, where flames were leaping up to 30ft in the air. |
| Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, said: "Our thoughts are with those people affected by the fire in Camden Market - one of the most thriving markets in London and of enormous importance for the economy of the local area and beyond." | Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, said: "Our thoughts are with those people affected by the fire in Camden Market - one of the most thriving markets in London and of enormous importance for the economy of the local area and beyond." |
| In pictures: Camden fireShock as Camden burns | In pictures: Camden fireShock as Camden burns |
| Conservative mayoral candidate Boris Johnson said: "This will come as a terrible blow to their livelihoods and the area generally. My thoughts are with the traders, local residents and the emergency services who are, as usual, performing brilliantly under pressure." | Conservative mayoral candidate Boris Johnson said: "This will come as a terrible blow to their livelihoods and the area generally. My thoughts are with the traders, local residents and the emergency services who are, as usual, performing brilliantly under pressure." |
| London Ambulance Service said it had sent ambulances and a hazardous response team to the scene. | London Ambulance Service said it had sent ambulances and a hazardous response team to the scene. |
| Seth Owuadey, 48, who lives in Kentish Town, was in a bar opposite the Hawley Arms and saw the first flames as they grew stronger. | Seth Owuadey, 48, who lives in Kentish Town, was in a bar opposite the Hawley Arms and saw the first flames as they grew stronger. |
| "A fire engine arrived but it took about 40 minutes for more to come, even though by then the flames were the height of a house. | "A fire engine arrived but it took about 40 minutes for more to come, even though by then the flames were the height of a house. |
| "We thought it started in the Hawley Arms, but it started in an alleyway behind there." | "We thought it started in the Hawley Arms, but it started in an alleyway behind there." |
| Were you near the scene of the fire? Do you have any information you would like to share? Send us your comments using the form below. | Were you near the scene of the fire? Do you have any information you would like to share? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| You can also send pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or via MMS to 61124. | You can also send pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or via MMS to 61124. |
| When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |