Koko Fire: Roof Of Iconic London Music Venue Engulfed In Blaze

Firefighters battled to save the club in Camden, north London.
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A blaze that broke out in the roof of an iconic north London club has been brought under control by firefighters.

Damage to the Koko club in Camden was limited to the upper section of the building after eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters responded to emergency calls just before 9pm on Monday.

Koko, formerly known as Camden Palace and the Camden Hippodrome, had been closed for refurbishment and was covered in scaffolding.

It was set to reopen in spring 2020 after a “major state-of-the-art” revamp, following the purchase of two adjacent buildings.

Station Commander Jon Lewis, who was at the scene said: “Firefighters quick action and hard work in the early stages meant the fire was contained to the roof and saved the rest of the building.

“Fire crews will remain at the scene throughout the morning.”

Pictures posted to social media on Monday evening show the former theatre with large flames at the top of the building, which is near Mornington Crescent station.

The fire at KOKO in Camden Town is under control and now being pushed back. Hugely grateful to @LondonFire for their swift response, but devastated by the potential loss of such a huge part of Camden’s culture. pic.twitter.com/5k0pdkHjQF

— Oliver Cooper (@OliverCooper) January 6, 2020

The iconic KOKO club in London currently on fire #koko #camden #fire pic.twitter.com/lUT77cDFLI

— Jiannis Georgiadis (@jgeorgiad) January 6, 2020

Formerly known as the Camden Palace and the Camden Hippodrome, the venue had been closed for refurbishment and was covered in scaffolding at the time of the fire.

It was set to re-open in spring 2020 after a “major state-of-the-art” refurbishment, after the purchase of two adjacent buildings.

The club has hosted acts including Madonna, Ed Sheeran and Prince along with the best bands and artists for generations.

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 Keir Starmer echoed Gould’s statement on Twitter.

Starmer wrote: “Awful news in Camden tonight. Incredible response from our firefighters.

“As @Georgia_Gould says, we owe them so much. @LondonFire”.

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