posted 06-09-2012 02:48 PM                       

quote: Daily Telegraph

---

200 evacuated after blaze at historic Notting Hill cinema

Two hundred people had to be evacuated after a fire broke out in a historic cinema in London’s Notting Hill area.

Sixty firefighters and 12 fire engines were sent to The Electric cinema, on Portobello Road, after the blaze started at around 2.45pm on Saturday.

The cinema also has a restaurant and the fire is believed to have started in kitchen’s extractor fan system. It caused heavy smoke to billow out across the road’s market stalls.

The audience and diners had been evacuated from the premises by the time the crews arrived.

The firefighters brought the fire under control by 6pm and searched the smoke-filled building. They reported there had been no injuries and that there was little damage to the cinema.

Police set up a cordon and the road was closed to the public.

Jason Summers, 42, said: "I was walking along the road and I could hear these shouts. I looked up and there was smoke billowing out the building.

"It was really thick. You could smell it. Everyone inside was running out - just trying to get out as quickly as they could.

"I didn't see any fire or anyone injured. Everyone was evacuated pretty quickly.

"When I came back 30 minutes later there were fire crews there and they seemed to have the situation under control. Everyone had been evacuated and cordons had been put up.

"It's a shame because it's an iconic building and it had just been renovated."

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Police were called at approximately 2.50pm today to the Electric Cinema on Portobello Road following reports of a fire.

"Officers, the London Fire Brigade, and the London Ambulance Service are in attendance.

"Neighboring buildings have been evacuated and several road closures remain in place."

The cinema was opened in 1911 and underwent a major refurbishment in 2001. It is run by Soho House, the company run by businessman Nick Jones, the husband of Kirsty Young, the broadcaster. It shows a mix of current releases and reruns of classic and cult films.

A spokesperson for Soho House said: "We can confirm that there was a fire this afternoon in Electric House which started within the brasserie kitchen.

"Staff acted quickly calling emergency services who were on-site immediately and all members and guests were safely evacuated with no injuries. An investigation is now being carried out and damage is being assessed."

---