Crews tackle London market blaze

[jarmo]

Up to 100 firefighters are tackling a major blaze that is spreading rapidly through London's famous Camden Market.

There are no reports of casualties so far but London Fire Brigade said people were reported trapped in the fire.

Firefighters were alerted at about 7.20pm to a blaze at the north side of the market, on Chalk Farm Road.

BBC story




/jarmo

[mrlee]

they have been wanting to build over that market.

the fire was probably started on purpose to destroy it so they can build there shitty topshops over it.

[Jessica]

what a shame..

It's one of my fav spots in london, i was there only 6 weeks ago.

Crap !!

I hope it wasn't arson.

It would be stupid to build over the market, it attracts tourists and it's one of the rare places in london where you can still find vintage jeans and leathers.

[TAP]

what a shame..

It's one of my fav spots in london, i was there only 6 weeks ago.

Yeah, I like Camden a lot too. I have friends who used to live right in the area where the fire is...

[jarmo]

Apparently it's the Camden Canal Market that's been affected.




/jarmo

[don_vercetti]

I was there, watching a concert (Dark Tranquility), and as we queued up outside we could see it all happening!  It was amazing, the sky was totally lit up and the flames were enormous.  I only managed to get this picture, cos my phones a bit crap, and I was on the outskirts of Camden when it started.  Was in the market about an hour before though!



It was intense, and it was Camden Canal Market, which in my opinion is probably the best bit of Camden.  So much great and interesting stuff to be bought there, and if it's been totally destroyed, i'll be so upset.  Still, the council will be happy, since they've been hoping to replace it with a shopping mall for a while (which would be utterly shite and everyone is totally opposed to)

[Tatiana Kudrin]

  Shit!  Camden is one of my favorite spots, though I prefer the area where the Stables Market is...

It must have been really crowded, even at past 7pm on a winter day, since it was Saturday. I hope that people could be rescued on time. The fire doesn't seem to be the kind of thing you can easily control, and actually tons of things in this area are bound to turn into accelerants 

[don_vercetti]

 and actually tons of things in this area are bound to turn into accelerants 

Like all the Shisha, and other legal drugs!  Lol.  Could be some happy birds for a few days...

[Jessica]

A mall ?

Please no, as if there weren't enough of those alrady all over the place.

Jesus, i have so many memories in camden, from WKD to the Palace to pubs, friends, music.

I mean, if they rebuilt crap, it's like killing a collective memory, and a part of the best years i ever had.

[babydolls]

such a shame this happened.  "word" is that it may have been started in retaliation to the building plans that are affecting that area.  I dont know anyone here in London that doesnt know the area well and we all have a love and affection for Camden whether we're locals or not. Great shame for the history of the place - I really feel for all the traders and people there personally affected.  Must have been alarming to have been so close don_vercetti. London's burning...

[Tatiana Kudrin]

 and actually tons of things in this area are bound to turn into accelerants 

Like all the Shisha, and other legal drugs!  Lol.  Could be some happy birds for a few days...

Ha...ha....ha 
Have you ever been there? I've been there quite a lot, actually I go there everytime I go to London ; it's a cool place but it's not a surprise that this fire got so big and seemed out of control for a while. Buildings are old, some people use small bottles of gas in their little stalls and those stalls themselves are made of flammable material like wood...This could have led to a real tragedy if the fire had started earlier 

[don_vercetti]

 and actually tons of things in this area are bound to turn into accelerants 

Like all the Shisha, and other legal drugs!  Lol.  Could be some happy birds for a few days...

Ha...ha....ha 
Have you ever been there? I've been there quite a lot, actually I go there everytime I go to London ; it's a cool place but it's not a surprise that this fire got so big and seemed out of control for a while. Buildings are old, some people use small bottles of gas in their little stalls and those stalls themselves are made of flammable material like wood...This could have led to a real tragedy if the fire had started earlier 

Dude, did you not read my post?  I was in the canal market probably an hour or two before it started.  Luckily no reported injuries or casualties yet, but still, gotta feel for all the traders who's livelihoods has been destroyed (which includes a lot of shisha cafe's and stalls).  And just think of all the cool stuff that's been lost.  All the unusual clothes, cool art, interesting cd's and vinyls and lord knows what else, where Camden was really the only place to get stuff like that these days.  Anyway, hopefully everyone who can will get back on their feet quick as possible, in finest british tradition. 

[Tatiana Kudrin]

Sorry, I had not realized you and  person who had posted a pic  earlier= the same member. 
It's definitely a very big loss and I sincerely hope that real estate people won't use this occasion as their best chance to get  the market closed. 

[babydolls]

Camden Fire: 'We Know Who Lit The Blaze'

Ruth Barnett
In Camden
Updated:15:51, Monday February 11, 2008

People in Camden are convinced they know who was behind a huge fire that engulfed much of the market area - but are too scared to tell police.
 
The blaze gutted The Hawley ArmsSeveral traders and residents believe the blaze which tore through Camden Market in north London is suspicious, but are worried about revenge attacks if they go public.

Sky News cannot reveal the name on locals' lips for legal reasons.

Fire officers and police have refused to be drawn on whether the fire may have been started deliberately.

Specialist investigators are conducting a fingertip search as they try to pinpoint the cause of the blaze.

But it may remain unknown for days because structural engineers still need to assess the safety of some of the buildings.

Meanwhile, a second theory has emerged.

Sky News' Laura Bundock, who is at the scene, has been told by several people that the blaze could be down to an illegal food stall.

She said: "Three sources have told me that an illegal food stall has been whipping out big vats of oil to do the cooking.

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"They say that when inspectors were around they weren't doing it, but as soon as they were gone they would be at it again."

But the idea that the fire might be down to one shadowy figure continues to be whispered on the streets of Camden Town.

And the same name has been offered many times to Sky News Online on who might be connected to the blaze.

Blinking back tears, one woman refused to talk on camera about the devastation caused by the fire, which destroyed part of the popular market and gutted celebrity pub The Hawley Arms.

She said if she was known to have talked to a journalist, even just describing the area damaged by the flames, it could make her vulnerable.

Much of the area remains cordoned off to the public.

:: A man has suffered serious head injuries and five others were injured when a bus diverted by the fire struck a railway bridge.

Source was Sky news.  From the news here, it sounds like most of the market holders didnt have insurance either...