Business professionals were hastily evacuated from their offices in the City of London today after a fire erupted in a restaurant kitchen located just beneath their workplace. The incident occurred near the iconic Bank of England on Lothbury, a bustling area known for its concentration of financial institutions.
The London Fire Brigade was quick to respond, dispatching four engines and approximately 25 firefighters to tackle the blaze that began around 4:00 PM. Eyewitnesses captured dramatic footage and images showing thick smoke pouring from the building as workers evacuated in an orderly fashion.
Emergency services were seen actively battling the flames, which appeared to originate from the ground floor kitchen of the restaurant. The fire prompted immediate evacuations of nearby office buildings, including some individuals who were visibly shaken as they gathered near landmarks like St Paul’s Cathedral and the Bank of England.
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade elaborated on the response: “Upon arrival, our teams found the kitchen partially alight and worked diligently to control and eventually extinguish the fire. We received multiple calls about the incident, and crews from Shoreditch, Dockhead, Shadwell, and other nearby stations were promptly deployed to the scene.
As of now, it remains unclear which specific restaurant was involved and the extent of the damage to the building and its upper-floor offices. Investigations are ongoing, and officials are working to determine the cause of the fire and assess the overall impact on the structure.
No injuries have been reported at this time, and the London Fire Brigade continues to manage the scene to ensure the safety of all affected.
