Around 60 firefighters and eight fire engines called to fight blaze at Great Portland Estates site in London
Eight fire engines and 58 firefighters and officers were called to a five-storey fire at a Great Portland Estates site in London this morning.
The London Fire Brigade said the fire (pictured) affected five floors of the six-storey 148 Old Street building, which is being redeveloped by client Great Portland Estates (GPE) from a former Post Office building into an £8m mixed-use development with office and retail space.
It is currently being demolished by contractor Cantillon, who declined to comment when contacted by Building.
London Fire Bridge station manager Gareth Cook, who was at the scene, said: “Crews worked hard to contain this blaze and to stop it from spreading.
“The main fire was concentrated around the building’s central lift shaft. This created a chimney effect, which is why smoke could be seen for miles around during the early stages of the incident.”
The fire brigade said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
GPE have been contacted for comment.
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