Fire-hit market 'will recover'

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Although police are still warning people to stay away from Camden Town, business leaders expect things to be back to normal soon.

As many as 100 firefighters tackled the blaze at its height on Saturday night, as thousands of revellers and shocked locals looked on.

The fire wrecked Camden's Canal Market complex, shops and celebrity hangout The Hawley Arms pub - a favourite of troubled singer Amy Winehouse and supermodel Kate Moss. The fire raged for three hours, before London Fire Brigade (LFB) brought it under control. There are no reports of any injuries.

Simon Pitkeathley, chief executive of Camden Town United, an organisation which represents businesses in the area, was taken by fire officials into some of the buildings hit by the blaze.

He said: "It is absolutely devastated. When I walked in there, it took my breath away. I was not expecting it to be that bad. From the road, it looks bad enough, but it is not until you are inside that you see the full extent. The damage goes back quite a long way.

"But lots of things remain open in Camden Town. The other markets are open, and many of the shops, pubs and bars are now able to reopen as well. Obviously, I would suggest people avoid the area today, but soon we will be back on our feet."

He added that the next stage was meeting the individuals who had lost businesses and assessing what they do now.

"I am hoping to see people today, and we all want to meet with the fire and police to see what happens next," Mr Pitkeathley said. "The shop owners I am speaking with are worried about when they can reopen. I'm sure everyone involved will do everything they can to let that happen as soon as possible."

The London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, said: "Our thoughts are with those people affected by the fire in Camden Market - one of the most thriving markets in London, and of enormous importance for the economy of the local area and beyond."