More than one hundred firefighters this morning tackled a blaze that destroyed a restaurant and office block near Old Street.
The fire, that is believed to have started in the East Room restaurant on Tabernacle Street, quickly spread to an adjacent building on Worship Street.
Twenty fire engines, four aerial appliances and over 100 firefighters attended the scene after a call was received at 0432. There are no reports of injuries.
London Fire Commissioner, Ron Dobson said: “This was a complicated fire spreading rapidly through different premises and onto a bitumen covered roof, creating huge plumes of smoke across the city and presenting very difficult firefighting conditions for the crews attending.”
The cause of the fire is not known at this stage. Police say they are liaising with the Fire Investigation Unit.
Hundreds of commuters were affected as police cordoned off roads around the fire at the edge of London’s financial district. City Road was closed south of Old Street.
Crowds of people unable to get to work gathered in a smoke filled Finsbury Square.
Sharlene Boucher, who works at a financial consultancy on City Road, said: “We have not been able to get to work so are waiting to find out more. I think we will probably have to work from home.”
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Stunning photos, looks almost like 9/11. have you got an update on what started the fire?
I do not think they have released any more details at the moment, but will have a check tomorrow.
London Fire Brigade say: “The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.”