Crowdfunding campaign launched for devastated Camden Lock traders after fire
The Camden blaze as seen from the Camden Piano Rescue shop. Owner Desmond Gentle, who took the photo, was working in his shop late at night when the fire started. The fire luckily did not reach his business. - Credit: Archant
Well-wishers are urging people to donate to Camden Lock stallholders whose livelihoods were destroyed in the huge blaze in the early hours of Monday morning.
Some of the traders whose stalls were directly in the path of the fire were let up to view the damage. Photo: Anna Behrmann - Credit: Archant
It is believed around 30 crafts stalls were destroyed on the corner of Camden Lock market, as well as the Camden Guitar shop, which lost rare and expensive instruments.
Camden jewellery blogger Jackie Clode-Dickens has set up a JustGiving page for traders who have been affected, with almost £400 raised so far, as part of a £5,000 target.
She wrote: “Those affected have lost not only their trading stock, often one of a kind pieces, hand made and irreplacable, but also their places of business.
“Small, local, independent businesses need our help more than ever on today’s competitive High Streets and our markets are the unique, vibrant heartbeat of London.
The charred scene within, from Laetitia Dupont, who was allowed up to see the damage to her stall with the LFB. - Credit: Archant
“Camden Market is open 7 days a week, 364 days a year and the traders there work incredibly hard in all weather.
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“I am lucky enough to count many of these people as my friends and I am heartbroken for them today.
“Please, give all you can to help them get back on their feet as soon as possible.”
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Several desperate traders were taken up to the second floor of the building by fire officers to see the damage to their delicate handmade goods and businesses on Monday morning.
Stall owner Laetitia Dupont, who feared her Let’s Jam lamp stall on that corner had suffered water damage after the fire, told the Ham&High yesterday: “I’ve got no insurance, nobody has... apart from the building itself.”
The windows in the two storeys above Honest Burger, home to various crafts stalls, were shattered, and the enclosed market area behind on the second and third floor was also blackened.
The roof above the market area was destroyed, with the structure charred and blackened.
The LFB was called at 23.57 on Sunday night and the fire was under control by 02.50am.
Around 70 firefighters tackled the huge blaze that tore through Camden Lock Market.
Israeli billionaire Teddy Sagi bought up the market places in Camden in 2014.
A Camden Markets spokesman said most of Camden Lock market is open as normal, as well as Stables Market and Union Street.
To donate to the fundraising campaign for traders, visit here.