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| Blaze shuts famous market area | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Firefighters are continuing to hose down a huge fire which damaged Camden's famous market in north London, as investigators seach for its cause. | |
| Police have lifted some cordons in residential streets erected when the blaze began early on Saturday evening. | Police have lifted some cordons in residential streets erected when the blaze began early on Saturday evening. |
| But they have advised people to avoid the area as main streets could be closed for up to four days. | But they have advised people to avoid the area as main streets could be closed for up to four days. |
| Storage buildings for the market and the Hawley Arms pub were severely damaged, but no injuries were reported. | Storage buildings for the market and the Hawley Arms pub were severely damaged, but no injuries were reported. |
| Some 100 firefighters tackled the blaze, which began about 1920 GMT, and some are continuing to dampen down hotspots. | Some 100 firefighters tackled the blaze, which began about 1920 GMT, and some are continuing to dampen down hotspots. |
| 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. | 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." | 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, including the Hawley Arms, a popular Camden pub which is frequented by celebrities including singer Amy Winehouse. | 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". | Landlady Ruth Charles-Ridler said she was "devastated". |
| "Everyone I've spoken to is in complete shock." | "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 station manager Guy Foster said there were no reports of any casualties, injuries or rescues. | London Fire Brigade station manager Guy Foster said there were no reports of any casualties, injuries or rescues. |
| "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." |
| 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 it would keep open a rest centre for evacuees at Talacre Sports Centre "as long as it is needed". | 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". |
| 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 suspended | Train 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 burns | In 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. |
| 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." |
| 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. |