FIREFIGHTERS who tackled a blaze at the famous Koko nightclub in Camden Town have saved the main building.

The London Fire Brigade said in an update this morning (Tuesday) that the damage had been contained to the roof. The New Journal had been reporting from the scene last night as orange flames ripped through the top of the music venue, formerly known as the Camden Palace and the Music Machine. It is currently closed for a major refurbishment project.

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Station Commander Jon Lewis, who was at the scene said: “Firefighters quick action and hard work in the early stages meant the fire was contained to the roof and saved the rest of the building. Fire crews will remain at the scene throughout the morning. The Brigade was called at 20:56 and the fire was under control by 02:37. Fire crews from Euston, Kentish Town, Islington, Soho, Holloway and surrounding fire stations are at the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.”

The venue is one of London’s most famous stages having hosted the likes of Iron Maiden, The Clash, Macy Gray, Ed Sheeran, The Rolling Stones, Madonna and Prince in the past, often as secret concerts. It has been known as Koko since 2004, but was previously named the Camden Palace, when it partly had a reputation for rave music events, and, before that, The Music Machine in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Loved for its ornate features, it had originally been a theatre and music hall, first opening on Boxing Day in 1900.