Traders in fear for livelihoods after Camden Lock market fire
Firefighters tackled the blaze at Camden Lock's market. Picture : LFB - Credit: Archant
Camden traders have been left devastated and anxious their businesses will not recover, after the fire at Camden Lock market early this 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
Fire officers at the scene said that the fire started among the arts and crafts stalls behind the guitar shop on the corner of Camden Lock market.
One fire officer said that they were first alerted to the fire by a security guard and praised his quick actions.
The windows in the two storeys above Honest Burger, home to various crafts stalls, were shattered, and the market area behind on the second and third floor was also blackened.
Standing in front of Honest Burger, on the corner of the Camden Lock food market, London Fire Brigade Station Manager Andrew Walton said: “The hard work and aggressive actions of the crews ensured the fire was contained to the area of the building which was alight when the Brigade arrived.”
The charred scene within, from Laetitia Dupont, who was allowed up to see the damage to her stall with the LFB. - Credit: Archant
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The cause of the fire is still under investigation and police and fire officers remain at the scene.
The LFB was called at 23.57 on Sunday night and the fire was under control by 02.50am.
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The first, second and third floor of the market building was damaged in the fire, which spread up, badly damaging the roof, leaving the charred remains of market stalls open to the sky.
This morning, traders were returning to their stalls, desperately trying to find out whether their stock had been damaged.
View of the wreckage from above. Photo: Laetitia Dupont. - Credit: Archant
It is believed several stalls have been burnt, although the fire was contained to one corner of the market.
Lamp trader Laetitia Dupont, who said she had no insurance, was one of around eight people allowed up to the second and third floor by London fire brigade officers, in order to see what was left of her stall.
Ms Dupont, who lives just across the road and runs the Let’s Jam lamp stall, said she was relieved no one was injured.
She said: “I’m happy everyone was at home, but I’m a little sceptical about our future.
“I’m personally quite lucky, my product is unique, but I’m anxious for all my friends, and for Camden itself.
“Camden has changed so much over the last few years.”
Several traders said they were unsure when they could go back to work at their stalls in Camden Lock, with some reports that business could continue on Wednesday or Thursday this week.
Sam Frantz, who works in the Camden Guitar shop which was gutted in the blaze, said he had worked in the shop since he was 16.
The 21-year-old said: “Some of the best moments of my life have been in this shop.
“Guitar picks and pedals can be replaced... but it’s the memories [that are lost.]”
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 spokesman for Camden Markets said that while a section of Camden Lock market is closed, the rest of it is open.
Stables Market and Union Street are also open to the public.
