More than 80 firefighters are tackling a massive blaze at the historic Battersea Arts Centre in south London.
Billowing
black smoke could be seen for miles around the Grade II listed building
after the fire began at just after 4.15pm today. Witnesses claim people
watched on in tears as flames engulfed the tower at the top of the
centre, which then collapsed.
Rumours
that the nearby Clapham Junction railway station had been evacuated
were confirmed false by Network Rail but Lavender Hill is closed in both
directions as the fire services continued to fight the blaze.
A massive blaze has broken out at the
historic Battersea Arts Centre in south London at just after 4.15pm,
which has damaged the roof of the building
Flames had engulfed the roof of the
Grade II listed property which later collapsed into the theatre building
which was surrounded by scaffolding
London Fire Brigade said crews had managed to get the blaze under control but were still working to extinguish the fire.
A
spokesman said: 'Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters and
officers have been called to a large fire affecting Battersea Arts
Centre on Lavender Hill, SW11. Two aerial appliances - similar to cherry
pickers - are fighting the fire from above.
'Smoke
can be seen for miles around and we are advising people living and
working nearby to keep doors and windows closed as a precaution.'
They also warned occupants nearby to keep their windows closed against the billowing black smoke.
An
ambulance service spokesman said that so far crews had treated a woman
for smoke inhalation at the scene but she had not required hospital
treatment.
So far, the cause of the fire is unknown.
Nicholas Bennett, a magistrate at nearby Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court, said black smoke was engulfing the entire area.
He
said: 'It appears to be getting worse, although I can't see the flames
any more. But there is black smoke everywhere, engulfing the area.
'There are still more appliances arriving now. There are large numbers of people at the opposite side of the road to the fire.
'You can clearly see the firefighters at work.'
Battersea
Arts Centre confirmed everyone had escaped the building and that there
would be no performances for the next two evenings.
Billowing black smoke could be seen
for miles from the arts centre as the fire took hold, which needed
almost 60 firefighters to try and tackle it
Officers make their way to the blaze
in Lavender Hill which has now been shut in both directions as
firefighters continue to battle the fire
The London Fire Brigade said that
eight fire engines and more than 80 firefighters were dealing with arts
centre blaze in Battersea
A
spokesman for the theatre tweeted: ''There is a fire in our building.
Everyone is out safe and the fire brigade are working hard to get the
fire under control.
'We will not be running any performances this evening and we have also cancelled the performance of Missing tomorrow evening.
'If you've bought tickets for any show we'll be in contact about refunds or exchanges.
'Thank
you to everyone for the kind words & well wishes.We'd also like to
thank @LondonFire, @metpoliceuk & @Ldn_Ambulance who are handling
the situation rapidly, safely and compassionately.'
London
Fire Brigade Station Manager John Snelgrove, who is at the scene added:
'This is a large, challenging fire and crews are working hard to bring
it under control. We've got 12 fire engines at the scene, as well as an
aerial appliance and an aerial ladder platform fighting the fire from
above.
'Firefighters are working with a number of water jets around the building to contain the fire.'
At the outbreak of the blaze the Brigade's control officers took over fifty 999 calls from members of the public.
0 comments:
Post a Comment