Fire at former BBC Television Centre in Shepherd’s Bush

Fire at former Television Centre complex – photograph London Fire Brigade

Residents evacuated while fire crews bring fire under control

A fire broke out overnight at a restaurant on the top storey of the former BBC Television Centre on Wood Lane.

Now a mixed-use, nine-storey building of offices and flats, with a restaurant on the top, London Fire Brigade were called just after 3am. The fire affected the top floors. External decking and ducting were alight and a number of flats were affected due to smoke and water damage.

Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters attended the fire. Firefighters worked with the police to evacuate around 22 residents from the building and buildings in the area were also evacuated as a precaution. A rest centre was set up for residents who were evacuated from their homes.

One person was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation by London Ambulance Service.

Crews from Chiswick, Hammersmith, North Kensington, Kensington and surrounding fire stations battled the fire and cleared the area, bringing it under control just after 5pm on Saturday.

Station Commander Graham Beers said:

“Crews have been working hard all day in challenging conditions to bring the fire under control.

“This was a complex fire at the top of the building and firefighters worked tirelessly to prevent the fire from spreading.

“Two 32-metre turntable ladders attended and were deployed as water towers to help extinguish the fire from height. The Brigade’s drone team also attended, providing the Incident Commander with a greater situational awareness of the fire.

“It is expected crews will remain at the scene of the fire throughout the evening.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade’s Fire Investigation Unit.