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From The Sunday Times
February 9, 2008

Camden market hit by blaze

A fire spreads through Camden Lock and market area in London

Rudolph Richter and Simon Alford

Click here to launch Camden fire slide show

A major fire which at times leapt 30m (100ft) into the air has destroyed part of the world-famous Camden Market in north London.

At its height, more than 100 firefighters fought the blaze as it consumed stalls, storage areas and a pub.

Witnesses reported hearing an explosion just after 7pm which blew out windows in buildings near the Camden Lock area. The fire took hold in a scaffolding-covered building in the Hawley Wharf part of the market on Chalk Farm Road.

Among the badly damaged buildings was the Hawley Arms pub, which has been a favourite with celebrities such as Amy Winehouse, the singer, and Sadie Frost, the fashion designer and actress.

Fire crews from across London using 20 fire engines managed to contain the blaze after several hours but ambulance teams and police remained at the scene.

There were no casualties, despite initial reports that people may have been trapped in the burning buildings.

Thousands of people had been crowding the market and bars in the area and had to be evacuated.

Ayman Preston, 22, who was drinking in a bar near the locks when the fire started, said: “I was standing there and the next thing I knew all the windows were flying through and I heard a loud bang.

“There was a minute' s silence and then there was panic. People were screaming but I didn’t see anyone injured.”

Camden market, which is popular with tourists and locals, opened in 1974 in a complex of former canal warehouses and disused industrial buildings.

By 11pm the flames had begun to die down and investigators were waiting to enter the buildings.

Do you have pictures from the Camden blaze? Send them to us via text on 07834 885058 or email them to onlinepics@thetimes.co.uk

I would like to send my sympathy and prayers to all those affected by this terrible fire. I do hope the Council will assist in any way possible to rebuild this area in keeping with it's historical character. I have been dismayed to see the emergence of skyscrapers made of glass and steel surrounding St. Paul's. Please don't allow the powers that be to make London look like every other major city of the world! 21st Century ideas are about how we can make the world a safer place, how we treat our people through our actions and laws, how we treat our environment and our neightbors around the world. We don't need a "modern" skyscraper to develop such ideas and plans. Again, I offer my sympathy and prayers to those suffering from this grat loss.

Ginger Boling, Winchester, Va USA

As a trader at Camden Lock Market, my heart and thoughts go to those who have lost everything at the Canal Side market and surrounding shops. We are thinking of you.

Kate, London, UK

I think it's good news. That place is really old, dirty, smelly, and ...yes, dangerous. This blaze will at least make the local authorities realize that a fire can still be devastating in a city like this, especially in old places where maintenance is obsolete. This city has to understand that we are in 2008 and London sometimes still looks in the industrial revolution. While some parts of the city, especially in the East, are being developed and renovated, others (and clearly the area where this fire has happened is an example) are really in need of a change, and an event like this is at least an opportunity for change.

Jesus Brown, Paris,

my htoughts go out to all affected by this natural or terrorist incident. i am a shop owner in camden lock for past 18 years and have seen he HUGE increase in amount of people, shops and stalls and everyone struggling for money - this is coming as a huge shock. one scandalous thing was the lack of acconodation offered to people devastated by the fire - ANT HATCHER who works with me in the trading post helped with evacuation and even put people up to sleep in his house... OI CAMDEN COUNCIL you need to help more, and i hope that you will help with rebuilding costs to restore buildings which are landmarks of a very importatnt tourist and UK place which is CAMDEN. thanks pandora (trading post)

pandora, camden lock london, england

i hope this has nothing to do with camden market's redevelopment...

hannah, madrid,

I hoid that Louie the Chin and Vinnie the Torch were in town..I'd check it out if I was youse

Joey the Nose, little sicily, sicily

we could see this from my daughters bedroom window, now we can only see smoke.

caroline, kentish town, london

I do apologise. What did you say??

Pu Li, Guangxi,

omg its right next to my house i saw my friends and literally screamed and hugged the in awe and shock at the situation omg
from my balcony all i can see is flaames and then large amounts of smoke on top =O
my friend told me their close friends sent their large apple computer to their house for safety!!
honestly! who would be worrying about a computer if there house is at risk..?

xx

ENViiED...

zutzut, camden town, england

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