Koko fire: Firefighters battle to save iconic Camden nightclub as flames rip through roof
About one-third of roof was ablaze, brigade says
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Your support makes all the difference.Some 60 firefighters tackled a blaze at the Koko nightclub in Camden, north London.
Formerly known as the Camden Palace and the Camden Hippodrome, the building was closed for a major refurbishment at the time of the fire, with much its exterior covered by scaffolding.
Emergency services said they were called to the scene shortly before 9pm.
In a statement posted to Twitter, the London Fire Brigade said: “We were called at 8.56pm to a fire at a Camden nightclub under refurbishment. 30 per cent of the roof is alight.
“Firefighters working hard to save the rest of the building. Please avoid the area if possible.”
Firefighters managed to contain most of the fire to the roof of the building and will remain on site throughout Tuesday.
DJ Tony Blackburn tweeted: “I’ve only just heard about this. This is terrible news particularly as it was going through a refurbishment and we were hoping to hold our next BBC Radio London Soul Night Out there when it opens.
“Let’s hope nobody has been hurt in the fire at KoKo it’s such a great venue.”
Leader of Camden Council Georgia Gould said: “Heartbreaking watching the Camden Palace / Koko up in flames this evening, a building that holds so many memories and means so much to us in Camden.”
MP for Holborn and St Pancras Sir Keir Starmer echoed Ms Gould’s statement on Twitter.
Sir Keir said: “Awful news in Camden tonight. Incredible response from our firefighters. As Georgina Gould says, we owe them so much.”
Having launched as a theatre on Boxing Day in 1900 the site has become one of the most revered nightclubs and music venues in London – hosting Madonna’s first UK performance and marking the last stage AC/DC’s Bonn Scott performed on before his death.
Among those on social media expressing concern over the building was BBC DJ Tony Blackburn, who wrote: “This is terrible news particularly as it was going through a refurbishment and we were hoping to hold our next BBC Radio London Soul Night Out there when it opens. Let’s hope nobody has been hurt in the fire at KoKo it’s such a great venue.”
Koko was set to re-open in spring after the refurbishment and the purchase of two adjacent buildings.
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