Fire breaks out at BBC’s former HQ Television Centre

About 100 firefighters are tackling a blaze in a restaurant at the BBC’s former Television Centre headquarters in west London.

London Fire Brigade said 15 engines were at the nine-storey building in Wood Lane, White City, after a fire broke out in the early hours of Saturday.

The building now houses a restaurant and flats, as well as television studios. Authorities said an unspecified number of homes were affected and people had been evacuated.

It is not known what caused the fire and there are no reports of casualties.

Isabela Brooker, who lives on the seventh floor, said she and her eight-and-a-half month old son Rafael were evacuated at 04:30 BST.

“We heard a knock on the door and it was the fire brigade telling us to evacuate,” she said.

“There was smoke all in the corridor – it was very scary. I left everything and we’re now down here in our pyjamas.

“I have no nappies and nothing else.”

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it was called out shortly after 03:00 BST, with crews drafted in from Hammersmith, North Kensington, Kensington and Chiswick.

Two large turntable ladders were being used to tackle the fire from a height.

In an update issued at 08:00 BST, LFB said the restaurant, external decking and ducting remained alight.

“The Brigade is working alongside multi-agency partners, including the Metropolitan Police, to evacuate buildings in the area as a precaution,” it said in a statement.

“A rest centre is being set up for residents who have been evacuated from their homes.

“Wood Lane is currently closed to traffic and people are advised to avoid the area as the incident will remain ongoing for some time.”