A major fire has broken out at a large building in Camden Lock Market in London, sending flames climbing high into the night sky.

Eight fire engines, an aerial ladder and about 60 firefighters were initially sent to the area after the first emergency call just before midnight on Sunday, London Fire Brigade said. However, this was quickly increased to 10 fire engines and 70 firefighters, reports the 

On its Twitter account, the brigade appealed to the public to “please avoid the area”.

“A building within the market is alight and part of its first, second and third floors are affected by the fire, as well as part of its roof,” it said in a statement on Facebook.

“Crews from Kentish Town, Euston, Soho, Paddington and Holloway fire stations are at the scene. The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage.”

At 3am, a brigade spokesman told The Independent that fire crews were involved in “damping down” of hot spots but that the fire had not yet been officially brought “under control”.

An eye-witness, Joan Ribes, 24, said she had called the police, urging them to close a nearby street to traffic “because it was very dangerous”.

“The fire was flying through the air to the surrounding areas,” she said.

“The fire was moving very fast. People were watching, but we were scared the building could explode at any time since there are restaurants with kitchens nearby.”

Numerous photographs on social media showed the fire was well alight with the flames towering high above the surrounding buildings.

BDST: 1030 HRS, JULY 10, 2017
AP