Inferno engulfs London church: Firefighters battle blaze at 177-year-old ‘architectural treasure’

A huge inferno engulfed a north London church last night which has been described as an architectural treasure filled with stunning mosaics.

Dozens of firefighters were battling the blaze at St Mark’s Church, which is a Grade II listed building known for its educational and literary history.

Some 80 firefighters were sent to the church in Hamilton Terrace, St John’s Wood, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said, after being alerted to the blaze at 11.19pm.

The whole of the two-storey building was alight, with residents asked to keep doors and windows closed due to the significant amount of smoke being produced.

The LFB said it was using three ladders, including the tallest in Europe at around 210ft, as towers to distribute water evenly.

Footage from the scene showed flames engulfing the entire building and billowing out of the church’s windows. 

Eyewitnesses described the blaze as ‘terrible’, adding they were saddened at the extraordinary damage. 

The fire was under control by 2.22am on Friday.

The exact extent of the damage remains unclear but is thought to be significant. 

No injuries have been reported and the exact cause of the fire remains unknown at this stage. 

A local resident told the BBC: ‘It’s terrible, the whole church was on fire – smoke everywhere. It’s extremely sad because it’s a very old church and it’s ruined now.’ 

The National Churches Trust lists St Mark’s as a grade II Victorian church, containing ‘stunning’ mosaics by the Salviati family as well as highly decorative marble flooring in the chancel.

The Anglican church is located near Abbey Road Studios and Lord’s Cricket Ground, and has links to author Lewis Carroll and Queen Victoria’s son Prince Leopold.

The trust describes it as an ‘architectural and historical treasure’, which finished construction between 1846 and 1847 in the Gothic style to the design of architect Thomas Cundy Junior.

Around 80 firefighters were scrambled last night to tackle a massive blaze in a church in north London. Flames from St Mark’s Church could be seen lighting up the night sky as twelve fire engines were rushed to the scene

The church was consecrated in June 1847, and it has reportedly enjoyed a ‘history of education and literary associations’ during its history.

It was closely connected to the founding of St John’s School in Leatherhead and Lewis Carroll’s works such as Alice in Wonderland. 

The church is currently run by vicar Kate Harrison, who first took over in 2015. 

London Fire Brigade said: ‘Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters have been called to a church fire on Hamilton Terrace in St John’s Wood. The whole of the two-storey building is alight. 

‘The fire is producing a significant amount of smoke in the local area and residents are advised to keep their windows and doors closed.

‘Firefighters are using two of the Brigade’s new 32-metre turntable ladders and a 64-metre turntable ladder (the tallest in Europe) at the scene as water towers, to get water on to the building externally.

‘The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers have taken almost 30 calls to the blaze.

‘The Brigade was called at 2319. Fire crews from North Kensington, Paddington, West Hampstead and surrounding fire stations are at the scene. The cause of the fire is not known at this time.’

They later added: ‘There were no reports of any injuries. Fire Investigators are on scene to begin their investigation into the cause of the blaze.’

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said it sent an ambulance crew, a medic in a fast response car and members of its hazardous area response team to the scene.

‘The incident is ongoing and we are working with our emergency service colleagues,’ the spokesperson added.