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Version 1 Version 2
Major fire guts Shoreditch block Major fire guts Shoreditch block
(about 1 hour later)
More than 100 firefighters are tackling a 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.
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.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.
There are no reports of people inside the building.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.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. The London Fire Brigade said 50% of the roof was alight
Local resident Dan Lewis said: "I was in bed and heard an explosion at about 0630.
"We heard several fire engines arrive and I can see 11 engines from my window."
A London 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.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."There is a lot of fire inside the building.
"We are in the process of trying to bring the fire under control.""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.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.The cause of the fire was still unknown, he added.

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