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Blaze shuts famous markets area Blaze closes famous market 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. Firefighters are continuing to dampen the remnants of a fire which damaged Camden's famous market in north London, as investigators seach for its cause.
Surrounding roads are expected to stay closed for several days as damage is assessed in Camden Canal Market. Police have lifted some cordons in residential streets erected when the blaze began early on Saturday evening.
Some 100 firefighters tackled the blaze, which severely damaged storage buildings and the Hawley Arms pub. But they have advised people to avoid the area as main streets could be closed for up to four days.
Six people, including three children, spent the night at a sports centre after homes were evacuated. Storage buildings for the market and the Hawley Arms pub were severely damaged, but no injuries were reported.
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. Some 100 firefighters tackled the blaze, which began about 1920 GMT, and some are continuing to dampen down hotspots.
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." Although Camden Council set up an emergency shelter in a sports hall with 100 beds available, only six people, including three children, spent the night there after their homes were evacuated. About 20 others were given 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."
It's very sad. It's a well-known party area Billy Reeves Eyewitness accounts of blazeIt'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 closures are to allow structural engineers to assess the damage to buildings, including the Hawley Arms, a popular Camden pub which is frequented by celebrities including singer Amy Winehouse.
Landlady Ruth Charles-Ridler said she was "devastated".
"Everyone I've spoken to is in complete shock."
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.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 station manager Guy Foster said there were no reports of any casualties, injuries or rescues.
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."
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 it would keep open a rest centre for evacuees at Talacre Sports Centre "as long as it is needed".
She also said the centre 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.
Train services suspendedTrain services suspended
Camden Council is also organising a meeting to help businesses affected by the fire on Sunday but have yet to confirm a time. Details will be posted on the council's website.Camden Council is also organising a meeting to help businesses affected by the fire on Sunday but have yet to confirm a time. Details will be posted on the council's website.
The meeting will be to provide advice, such as insurance and re-opening plans, to damaged businesses as well as those undamaged but within the cordon which remain closed, a spokeswoman said.The meeting will be to provide advice, such as insurance and re-opening plans, to damaged businesses as well as those undamaged but within the cordon which remain closed, a spokeswoman said.
In pictures: Camden fireShock as Camden burnsIn pictures: Camden fireShock as Camden burns
Train services passing through Camden Town on the North London line were suspended during the blaze, and the line remains partly closed due to scheduled engineering works on Sunday.Train services passing through Camden Town on the North London line were suspended during the blaze, and the line remains partly closed due to scheduled engineering works on Sunday.
Network Rail said it would check if any damage was caused to the tracks by the fire.Network Rail said it would check if any damage was caused to the tracks by the fire.
Firefighters were alerted at about 1920 GMT 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.
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."
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.
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.
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