Traders at Stables Market in Camden Town have been allowed to reopen most of their shops today following the outbreak of a fire yesterday evening.

Around 600 people were evacuated from the world-famous market as flames swept through two alleys just before 8pm yesterday.

Traders and visitors said they spotted black smoke billowing from a shop set inside one of the railway arches.

Flames were spotted rising up the arch with thick, black smoke seen for miles around.

Firefighters were on the scene within minutes.

It took over 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines almost three hours to bring the blaze under control.

It is thought 10 businesses have been damaged, with three shops said to be completely destroyed.

As investigators continue to determine the cause of the fire, the public and traders are still being prevented from visiting the shops close to where the fire broke out.

Borough commander Richard Welch, who was at the scene, said: “When firefighters arrived they were faced with a fire in a range of shops under railway arches and the smoke could be seen from miles around.

“Firefighters worked hard to bring the blaze under control and stop it spreading further.”

For more on this story, see the next edition of the Ham & High newspaper (out Thursday, May 22).