Camden New Journal - News: Camden Town Fire

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Camden New Journal
Published: 11 February 2008



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Camden Town Fire

FAMILIES were forced to flee their homes as a devastating fire ripped through the heart of Camden tonight.
At the height of the blaze more than 100 firefighters and 20 appliances battled to control the flames on Chalk Farm Road in the Camden Canal Market area.

London Fire Brigade's Guy Foster said there were no immediate reports of casualties.
Major damage was caused to the Hawley Arms and market storage areas and to residential property.

Police moved thousands of people away from the area and closed off roads after firefighters were alerted at 7.20pm and London Fire Brigade remained at the scene, containing the blaze.

Camden Council emergency planners were arranging for temporary shelter at the Talacre Sports Centre.

A spokeswoman for Camden Council said: "A number of residents have been evacuated from their homes. Camden Council is working with the emergency services and other agencies involved in the incident to do everything we can to help all those affected. We have opened Talacre Sports Centre as a rest centre for those who have been evacuated from their homes and beds and refreshments have been made available."

The sports centre is in Dalby Street NW5 - Tel 020 7974 8765.

Your Comments:

I'M Italian, I had been working at the Camden Stables Market and living in Camden from 2005 to 2007. Im so in love with that place and i was sooooo sad when i heard this news and saw the pictures of what happened. I'm with Camden and all the people that lives and works there. Hope everything will be better soon.
ELEONORA

CAN I just express thanks to the emergency services for their fantastic work, and to all the Camden Council staff who responded so diligently and effectively - supporting residents at the Talacre Centre, advising on the affected building structures, handling the huge media interest, and advising the affected businesses at a meeting on Sunday afternoon.
A lot more is to be done on dealing with the aftermath, and many council staff are now hard at work.
CLLR ANDREW MARSHALL
Deputy Leader
Camden Council

12.39am 10.02.08
I AM watching the fire at Camden market from my friend Ben's flat (and my former home) in Hawley Mews. Smoke is still pouring into the air and many fire crews and police are in the area. It is not clear whether the fire has been fully controlled as yet. It was really shocking to see the Hawley Arms ablaze, and it is still quite scary, as smoke is still coming from there even now.
I very much hope that noone has been hurt. It must have been incredibly frightening for the residents closer than this who had to be moved out. I'm not sure yet whether people have lost their homes, or just had to be evacuated. The Talacre Community Sports Centre in Dalby Street seems to be doing an excellent job of assisting those who have been moved there for safety - I have contacted them to offer to help. A few hours ago, I think police were worried that the sparks from the fire might travel to the petrol station on the corner of Hartland Road.
The market and Hawley Arms are part of Camden's identity. I really hope that the livelihoods of the market traders are not badly affected by the fire and its aftermath. I hope that any traders affected by the fire will be offered support.
JO SHAW

MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH CAMDEN RESIDENTS – PADDICK

COMMENTING on the major fire in Camden, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Mayor of London, Brian Paddick said: “I know the area well from when I was a Police Commander there.
“The police and fire brigade will be working closely to identify what caused this serious blaze.
“I’m sure Camden Council will be doing all they can to help those affected at this difficult time.
“I know from first hand experience the devastating effects that a fire can have on families and livelihoods, and my thoughts are with local residents.”
BRIAN PADDICK

"WE were standing by the canal and we saw flames. We went down to where they were and got told to run because there were gas cylinders. The police were screaming at everyone to get away from the bridge. We saw a small bit of smoke and then a massive amount of smoke."
JOSH LOEB

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