Bystanders were seen in tears this afternoon as a large part of the much loved Battersea Arts Centre went up in flames.

I got there just after the fire had taken hold and witnessed the tragedy of the fire spreading fast and saw the tower collapse, taking much of the roof with it.

I’ll upload some video footage shortly. Please note all photos are copyrighted and can not be used without permission.

Smoke seen over the sidestreets,

I arrived on the scene around 4.30pm, and although there was a lot of smoke, the fire seemed quite small.

More than 60 firefighters were on the scene.

The flames slowly crept up the roof of the Grand Hall which was undergoing refurbishment,.

Flames reach up to the wooden tower.

Tower engulfed in smoke.

Tower is fully on fire by 4.35pm.

The top part of the roof is now ablaze.

The tower is consumed by flames.



Tower collapses, taking a chunk of the roof with it.

At this point, fire and police officers instructed everyone to move away from the area.

Discuss this fire on the urban75 forums.

All photos © Mike Urban/brixtonbuzz.com