Smoke engulfs busy Soho street as fire breaks out at restaurant
CHRISTMAS diners were forced to evacuate restaurants and bars when a fire broke out in Soho, central London this afternoon.
35 firefighters tackled the blaze which broke out at 12.30pm
Around 35 firefighters tackled the blaze near Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club as smoke engulfed Frifth Street at approxiamately 12.30pm today.
A spokesman for London Fire Brigade said it is believed the fire broke out in nearby restaurant's extraction system - but the cause was not known.
Smoke engulfed the busy street of Soho
Soho fire Mobile Report #London
He added: "Six fire engines and around 30 firefighters are on the scene.
"It is believed a fire broke out in a restaurant in Frith Street, Soho. There's lots of smoke in the road so we are asking people in the area to keep their doors and windows shut."
The area was immediately closed off as smoke spread through Soho.
Frith Street is expected to open later this afternoon.
Christmas diners were forced to evacuate