Photo from Reuters

London’s famous shopping area Camden Market burned on Saturday night (9th February), much to the nation’s shock. The iconic market has always held a significant role in London’s rock scene and nurtured the seedy underbelly of street fashion.

Despite calling out 100 firefighters, it took an effort of three hours to contain the flames. The fire ravaged Hawley Arms pub, a popular watering hole for music movers & shakers such as Pete Doherty, Razorlight, Mark Ronson, and Amy Winehouse. Much of the market has been damaged.

Inspectors are waiting to access the site to find out the cause of the fire. Although no lives were injured or lost, the fire has done millions of pounds of damage, with an estimated 300 business at risk. Arson has not been ruled out yet.

Interestingly, Amy Winehouse shouted down a video link “Camden Town ain’t burning down!” upon winning record of the year at the Grammy Awards. Guess she’ll be drinking elsewhere for a while?

A few facts about historic Camden Market, taken from the Telegraph:

• Camden Market is the fourth most popular visitor attraction in London, with about 500,000 visitors each week.

• The area includes four separate markets: Camden Lock, Stables, Buck Street and Inverness Street.

• The markets attract those interested in alternative culture and independent clothing.

• Camden Lock, the area most affected by the blaze, was first developed in 1791, with the famous Regents Canal opening in 1820.

• Camden Lock Market was the first official market to be opened in the area, in 1974, but a street market had existed in Inverness Street for decades.

Interesting read on Camden’s link with rock n roll: Camden - Britain’s musical Mecca?

Other news articles on the Camden fire:
BBC report
Telegraph report