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Celebrities' fish diner gutted by mystery fire
Peter Dominiczak14.08.09
One of London's most celebrated fish and chip restaurants has been wrecked in a fire.
More than 40 firefighters - several wearing breathing apparatus - fought the blaze at the Sea Shell in Lisson Grove in Marylebone.
Dozens of diners were led to safety from the premises before firefighters arrived just after 5.35pm yesterday. No one was reported hurt.
However, much of the restaurant, which has been serving celebrities and families for more than four decades, was destroyed by the fire, the cause of which is being investigated.
Lisson Grove remained sealed off, causing major disruption in the surrounding area.
John McManus, a religious affairs producer for the BBC who was at the scene, said: "There were at least seven fire engines, an ambulance and a fast response vehicle. The front of the fish and chip shop is badly blackened and there was lots of smoke."
A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: "Eight pumps were sent to the scene along with three jets, foam, thermal imaging cameras and an aerial ladder platform. Four floors and a basement were damaged by fire."
The Sea Shell restaurant is popular with celebrities, being located close to many hotels and some of London's most famous landmarks such as Madame Tussauds, The Planetarium, Lord's Cricket Ground, Abbey Road and Regent's Park Zoo.
Ruby Wax, David Gest and Liza Minnelli were spotted dining at the restaurant this month.
Actress Sienna Miller lives nearby and this year The Sea Shell was named one of Britain's Top 50 restaurants for fish and chips.
Reader views (20)
Dont bother to try their sister shop Faulkners in the waste in Hackney- £21.70 for 2 small cod and chips and 1 rock and chips -batter? erm more like soggy mush, fish we found completely tasteless and the chips were the same,the reason we went there Sea Shells burnt down - wheres Jamie Oliver when you need him.
- Peter, London
Their Kalamari will be greatly missed and fish cakes, but the Rock was not as tasty as before, often pasty and bitter, and a quarter of the size missing, then they had the audacity to increase the price for a smaller portion. Chips had to be eaten immediately or were hard and brittle. Kilburn High Road, London NW6 has a Chippie called ALEX (Yellow Signs) or something opposite Brondesbury Station. their portions are large and tasty, and cheaper but can be greasy, still tasty though. KL
- Kevin Ll, St.Johns Wood, London
A superb chippy that will be greatly missed, never saw a 'celeb' in there, it was always banged out with Cabbies every time I went.
The long hand painted sign that hung behind the counter was a magnificent example of the traditional sign writer's craft that I hope was able to be salvaged for posterity...or the Tate Gallery!
- Jerry, london englan
Did one of the (non) celeb's egos self combust?
- Bj, London
So She no longer sells Sea Shells in the Sea Shell!
Anyway its was better when they cooked fish and chips in beef dripping!!!
6 peneth of cracking please.
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
To quote a wonderful line from C.S. Lewis this is "the piece of cod which surpasses all understanding", apparently said after a rather third rate meal in an Oxford hotel!
- Jb, London, London UK
I bought fish and chips here a few years ago. I really don't see why people think it's so great! The food was average.
- Ms, London
My wife thinks, superficially in my view, that Seashell is not as good as it used to be. A great shame....
- Nick H, London
I don't understand how restaurants can cook in groundnut oil..they should be aware that some people might be sensitive or allergic to groundnut/peanut oils..in addition to that, these places need to be aware of how they prepare foods as there is a big push towards cooking with 0% trans fats...i have eaten fish and chips in London and Brighton...very good compared to some places at home which cook their fish from the "box" which you could find in the frozen food section...chips are good if they are fresh cut not the frozen crap. that is my take on this story..
- Adam, Toronto, Canada
Hmmm - chip fire. In a fish and chip shop. Go figger!
- Rogan, Irving
All is not lost! There is still the seashell located on the waste, Kingsland road, Hackney. It's sister restaurant
- Knowitall, London
wonder if they had a good fry up at the time!
- Mike, London England and once GREAT Britain
Sea Shells is an iconic fish and chips restaurant well patronised by its regulars. Many foreigners never missed an opportunity to have dinner and enjoy its fare. It will be sorely missed. Hope it reopens soon.
- Murali Mohan, Maida Vale, London
Hello London,
Don't be "SHELL-FISH" you lot, there must be another "PLAICE" to eat and have a "WHALE" of a time?.
Only "CODDIN",
Really, I hope no-one was hurt, and as David Dickenson would say, it's as "CHEAP AS CHIPS".
Please don't "BATTER" me for these comments I "COD" not help it?.
- John L., Scarborough N.YKS. England. U.K.
The Codfather fights back. Restaurant takes a battering.
Customers complain that the chips were overdone.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon
When The Seashell useed ground nut oil to fry their fish and chips, the queues went right round Bell Street, and people came from all over London. Sadly, they discontinued the use of nut oil because of the one in a million nut-allergics who might have sued them. Their chips are very average nowadays. Shame about the fire though!
- Neil, London, London UK
oh no where will the celebrities eat?? scandal
- Rsaviour, london england
Looked at the pic, so a little advice - when it reopens get some decent sineage (or is it my spelling?). Any echoes on this?
However, nice cod and chips.
- Ted, London
I echo exactly what Frank H has said.
- Robert Jackson, London, London
Sorry to hear this, hope it's not a write - off and reopens soon.
I am a fan of the take away/stand and munch section fronting the main road, a great venue, spoiled only by zealous traffic wardens.
- Frank H., London UK.
