Camden Fire: Stables Market Evacuated as Inferno Guts London Tourist Attraction

More than 70 firefighters battled an inferno that has gutted one of London's tourist hotspots, the Stables Market.

About 600 people were evacuated from the market, in hipster's Camden, north London, after flames erupted there on Monday night.

Huge swathes of acrid black smoke filled the air as firefighters and ten fire engines fought to bring the blaze under control.

There were no reported injuries in the incident and an investigation is under way into what sparked the fire.

Shocked visitors posted photos on Twitter and expressed their sadness that one of the capital's best-loved haunts went up in flames, as they were pushed back beyond a police cordon.

One eyewitness video showed a rail service continue to haul freight along the track which passes over the market, despite flames and smoke billowing out of it.

The Stables attracts 40 million visitors a year with its collection of themed clothing, food and entertainment stalls and is a regular hangout for celebrities from the world of music and television.

The area is renowned for live music gigs and was also home to singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse right up until her death in 2011.

Borough fire commander Richard Welch, who was at the scene, said: "When firefighters arrived they were faced with a fire in a range of shops under railway arches and the smoke could be seen from miles around. Firefighters worked hard to bring the blaze under control and stop it spreading further."

Fire crews from Kentish Town, Euston, West Hampstead, Lambeth, Holloway, Islington and Soho fire stations attended the incident.

Despite the inevitable damage as well as possible residual flooding, defiant market stall owners have taken to Twitter to say they will re-open once the area is declared safe.