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Version 0 Version 1
Major fire guts Shoreditch block Major fire guts Shoreditch block
(30 minutes later)
More than 100 firefighters are tackling a major fire that started in a restaurant and office block in central London. More than 100 firefighters are tackling a fire that started in a restaurant and office block in central London.
The flames took hold just after 0400 GMT at the building in Tabernacle Street, Shoreditch. Flames took hold at about 0400 GMT at the four-storey building in Tabernacle Street, on the border between Shoreditch and the City of London.
Some 20 fire engines are at the scene and are spilling over into City Road, which has been closed. There are restrictions in nearby streets.Some 20 fire engines are at the scene and are spilling over into City Road, which has been closed. There are restrictions in nearby streets.
It is believed the building was unoccupied at the time. There are no reports of people inside the building.
Smoke can be seen as far away as Hackney and Liverpool Street Station, with London Fire Brigade taking numerous calls from people in surrounding areas.
A fire brigade spokesman said 50% of the roof was alight, with flames also inside the building and especially strong on the second and third floors.
He continued: "There is a lot of smoke and it can be seen from quite a distance.
"There is a lot of fire inside the building.
"We are in the process of trying to bring the fire under control."
He added that it was impossible to tell the level of damage to the building at this stage.
The cause of the fire was still unknown, he added.