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Firefighters tackling Soho blaze | Firefighters tackling Soho blaze |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Scores of firefighters are tackling a blaze in Soho, central London. | Scores of firefighters are tackling a blaze in Soho, central London. |
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) was called to reports of a fire at a four-storey office building in Dean Street just after 1400 BST. | |
About 60 firefighters are tackling the fire, which is sending plumes of black smoke across the West End. | About 60 firefighters are tackling the fire, which is sending plumes of black smoke across the West End. |
No members of the public were injured but two firefighters were slightly hurt. Firefighters said the blaze was under control. | |
A company called Future Capital is based in the Dean Street building. | |
About 10% of the building, including its basement, is thought to be alight. | |
Fifty people were evacuated from the building and workers were evacuated from other buildings in the area. | |
We've all been evacuated in the last hour - the fire started in an air conditioning duct Soho worker | |
The London Ambulance Service remains at the scene. Kensington fire station manager Andy Pike said the area was likely to be cordoned off until at least 2230 BST. | |
Nino Ripani, manager of nearby restaurant Signor Zilli's, said: "It's really shocking. | Nino Ripani, manager of nearby restaurant Signor Zilli's, said: "It's really shocking. |
"It's really getting to serious stuff now - we can see the black bits coming out." | "It's really getting to serious stuff now - we can see the black bits coming out." |
One man who was evacuated from the site said: "We've all been evacuated in the last hour. The fire started in an air conditioning duct." | One man who was evacuated from the site said: "We've all been evacuated in the last hour. The fire started in an air conditioning duct." |
A firm called Future Capital is based in the building. Photo: Rory Wilson | |
Musician David McAlmont was among a crowd of people gathered at the cordon's edge. | |
He said: "I saw the smoke from St Martin's Lane and followed it all the way here. It was only then that I realised what was happening. | |
"I'm supposed to be playing a gig tonight at the Pizza Express in Dean Street so I don't know how this will affect it." | |
It is the second blaze to hit Soho in as many days. On Thursday, fire crews were called to a building in Newport Place which housed a restaurant and offices. | It is the second blaze to hit Soho in as many days. On Thursday, fire crews were called to a building in Newport Place which housed a restaurant and offices. |
The fire damaged the basement of the five-storey building but no-one was hurt. | The fire damaged the basement of the five-storey building but no-one was hurt. |