Blaze broke out at six-storey building in Holborn while dinner was taking place

This article is more than 7 months old

This article is more than 7 months old

The head of the Law Society said the organisation had been left “extremely upset” after a fire broke out at its offices in central London.

Paul Tennant thanked the London Fire Brigade for its efforts in battling the blaze that damaged the building on Chancery Lane on Saturday night.

About 28 people left the building before emergency services arrived, and 11 had to leave nearby flats as a precaution.

The LFB said about 150 firefighters and 25 engines were sent to tackle the blaze at the six-storey office building at 10.40pm.

A spokesman for the Law Society said a junior lawyers division dinner had been taking place, but all left safely.

Tennant said: “First of all I wanted to express my gratitude to the fire service and my relief that nobody has been hurt. I also want to express my sympathy to the residents in the Chancery Lane area whom I understand may have had to evacuate their homes.

“It is too early to comment on the cause of the fire or the extent of the damage but clearly we are extremely upset that this has happened to this wonderful and historic building.

“When the fire alarm sounded on Saturday night an event had been taking place. An evacuation ensued and I’d like to praise our on-site staff and others for their calm response.”

The LFB said the fire was brought under control shortly before 10am on Sunday. It said the building’s roof and a staircase from the third to the fifth floor were destroyed by the fire, and half of the third and fourth floor were damaged.

Assistant commissioner Dom Ellis, who was at the scene, said: “This was a very complex fire due to the age and layout of the building.

“Firefighters worked throughout the night in very challenging and arduous conditions to prevent the fire from spreading to key areas of the historic building, while also trying to prevent water damage.”

The cause of the fire is being investigated.