Massive Fire Rocks Hackney Restaurant and Flats
Ten fire engines, 60 firefighters, and a 32-metre turntable ladder raced to a huge blaze on Kingsland Road, Hackney, in the early hours of Monday.
Flames Rip Through Three Floors
Crews arrived just after 3am to find all three floors of a restaurant and the accommodation above well alight. The fire started on the first floor and quickly engulfed the entire building.
Neighbours have been ordered to evacuate while road closures block off the area. Firefighters are battling the blaze in breathing apparatus, using hose reels and an aerial ladder to fight flames from above.
Early Alarm Prevents Worse Disaster
The swift response was thanks to an automatic fire alarm alerting the London Fire Brigade. Additional crews were called in due to fears of a backdraft in the basement.
At this stage, the cause of the fire and any injuries remain unknown.
More updates to follow.
