Emergency.Blog

Camden Market Fire Cause Still Undetermined

13:38, Sunday February 10, 2008 (U.K. time)

Camden Market Fire 'Still A Mystery'

LONDON, ENGLAND: Detectives investigating a huge fire that ripped through London's famous Camden Market have insisted it is too early to say whether the blaze was started deliberately. The flames took three hours to get under control. There are no reports of any injuries.

Police chief superintendent Dominic Clout said: "It is far too early at the moment to say whether the cause of the fire is suspicious or otherwise. "The fire brigade cannot confirm where the seat of the fire is."

Police say parts of Camden Town in north London will be closed for the next three or four days. London Fire Brigade's Guy Foster explained that crews trying to ensure the fire is safe are being hampered by suspected structural damage to buildings.

Hundreds of people from the borough's pubs and bars were moved away as the flames took hold at about 7.10pm yesterday.

The worst-hit places were storage properties for the Canal Market and the famous pub the Hawley Arms.

Hawley Arms landlady Ruth Charles-Ridler said: "In a word, I'm devastated. Everyone I've spoken to is in complete shock. "Now all we can do is wait. Clearly there is severe damage but we are just hoping that it is not structural. We definitely plan to reopen although exactly when that would be is impossible to say."

Urging people to stay away today, police said Chalk Farm Road and parts of Camden High Street, as well as surrounding one way streets, are expected to be shut.

-- Source/continues: http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1304805,00.html