Around 1,200 people were evacuated from The O2 on the north Greenwich Peninsula today when a fire broke out in a restaurant.

The venue is scheduled to remain closed until at least 4pm, after firefighters spent more than two hours tackling the blaze which started at around 11.15am.

More than 20 firefighters were called to the former Millennium Dome where the fire was confined to one of the restaurants' extraction system (ducting).

Station manager Martin Freeman who was at the scene said: "Although this was a small fire it did create a lot of smoke and so security staff evacuated people from arena.

"Crews quickly tackled the fire and then searched the ducting between the roof and the ground floor to ensure that they had thoroughly damped down any remaining hotspots. There were no injuries."



Smoke seen rising from the o2 arena. (c.) David Carr.

They sent four engines from East Greenwich, Poplar, Shadwell and Millwall fire stations to the scene.

Firefighters used two jets, breathing apparatus and a thermal imaging camera to extinguish the flames.

Jessica Taylor was in screen four of the Cineworld cinema watching The Martian with her boyfriend when they were evacuated from the building.

The 23-year-old from Leytonstone told News Shopper: "We heard an announcement from outside the screen advising that 'due to an incident please leave the building by the nearest exit and not to use the lifts'.

"Then almost immediately we all smelt smoke like burning plastic or electrics and we all started to leave the screen and go outside."

Miss Taylor added: "You could smell the smoke the whole way through the building and it appeared to get stronger whilst we were waiting outside."

The cordoned off O2 arena. Picture by Julie Price.

A spokeswoman for the London Fire Brigade said the cause of the fire is not known.

The O2 arena is expected to be closed until at least 4pm.

Up at the O2, which gives people the chance to scale the iconic building, has confirmed all climbs have been cancelled until and including 4pm.

1/3 Important news for today's climbers: Due to an earlier fire at a food unit at The O2 we are cancelling all climbs until and inc. 4pm — Up at The O2 (@UpatTheO2) October 18, 2015



They have advised anyone affected to call 0208 463 2680 or email boxoffice@upattheo2.co.uk to reschedule or get a refund.

More to follow.

Can you see what's happening? Call 07769995075 or email jessica.bell@london.newsquest.co.uk.