Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The building has been evacuated and trains have been cancelled

A huge fire that closed Nottingham railway station is being treated as arson.

At its peak 10 fire crews were tackling the fire, which began at about 06:30 GMT.

Flames were seen coming from the station's roof and smoke filled the foyer, prompting the building's evacuation.

Supt Sandra England said: "We now have reason to believe the fire may have been started deliberately."

She added: "Cordons remain in place around the area and trains are not running. It is likely the station will remain closed for the rest of the day."

Incident commander Bryn Coleman, from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue, said crews faced "arduous" conditions when they arrived to tackle the "severe" fire that spread across the concourse.

He described the operation as "difficult and protracted".

Image copyright Nottingham Fire and Rescue Image caption Nottingham Fire and Rescue tweeted a picture from inside the building

He added the fire was believed to have started in a toilet.

The fire service confirmed in the early afternoon that a joint investigation with the British Transport Police was already under way.

At 17:00 GMT crews were still at the scene dealing with the fire, which has been brought under control.

British Transport Police said it was an "ongoing incident" and said the station was "unlikely" to be open by Saturday.

Supt Sandra England said: "Even if some trains are running by tomorrow, there will be an extremely limited service with many delays, cancellations and overcrowding."

She advised football fans travelling to and from Nottingham for matches on Saturday not to attempt to travel by train.

East Midlands Trains said while no-one was injured and everyone was accounted for, all services, including trains to London St Pancras, Liverpool, Leicester and Norwich, have been disrupted.

Kirsty Derry, deputy managing director of Stagecoach, East Midland Train's parent company, apologised for the disruption but said they were "really optimistic" about services at the station on Saturday but warned there would be "gaps".

About 4,600 passengers arrive at Nottingham station during each weekday morning between 07:00 and 10:00, according to the Department for Transport.

The station has recently undergone a £50m redevelopment, incorporating a new tram bridge, including the restoration and upgrade of its Edwardian grade II listed front building.

Image copyright PA Image caption People were evacuated from Nottingham station

Eyewitness Sarah McMullan said she saw smoke coming from a toilet at the station's car park.

"You don't think much of it when there's a little bit of smoke and police already there, but then we were evacuated," she said.

"It was pretty frightening to see how quickly a fire can grow. You can see billowing smoke and flames above the roof on the far side."

BBC Radio Nottingham's Andy Whittaker said he saw "thick plumes of black smoke" coming from the station.

He said many people were left waiting outside the building after being told to leave.

Image caption Smoke filled the foyer at the station after the fire broke out

Dr Remigius Ilione, 49, said: "I drove into the car park and I could already hear the fire alarm.

"The smoke was so thick that you could not see in front of you."

Queens Road and Carrington Street were closed in both directions, which created heavy traffic on surrounding routes, but while there have been partial reopenings, disruption remains.

There have been reports of 40-minute delays on bus services.

Trams into the city were also disrupted by the fire and a separate incident, but began to run past the station at about 14:30 BST.

Image caption Jo Johnson hoped the station will be up and running again in "a few days"

Visiting the station, Transport Minister Jo Johnson said: "It has been a devastating incident, but it has been an extraordinary response from the emergency services.

"We saw an exemplary evacuation this morning. There were about 200 or 300 passengers at the start of the rush hour who were evacuated safely.

"As far as we can tell no-one has been hurt in the incident and we really do owe a huge debt of gratitude to the emergency services. East Midlands Trains has done a great job ensuring no-one was hurt and everyone was evacuated safely. "

He added that he hoped the station should be back up and running in the "next few days". </s> Fire crews have been called to a major fire at Nottingham railway station.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service tweeted that eight appliances were on the scene with crews from London Road, Arnold, Carlton, Highfields and Mansfield fire stations were in attendance.

The station has been evacuated, and smoke can be seen billowing from the building.

East Midlands Trains, who operate services from the station, said no trains are able to run to or from Nottingham. People are now being advised to avoid the area.

A post on the East Midlands Trains website read: "There is a fire at Nottingham station. This is disrupting our trains on all routes through Nottingham.

"At present the station has been evacuated and the fire services are on site.

"The station is currently closed and all of our services cannot run to/from Nottingham.

"We are currently looking at alternative arrangements to keep you on the move." </s> Trains in the East Midlands are severely disrupted due to a fire at Nottingham railway station this morning.

Ten fire engines and 50 firefighters are at the scene and the railway station is closed after being evacuated.

The fire is believed to have broken out at around 6.30am - with emergency services closing a number of roads around the area.

An East Midlands Trains spokesman urged people not to travel to the station as no transport was available.

He said: "Please do not travel to Nottingham station this morning as trains will be unable to run and we are unable to provide road transport to/from the station.

"At present we do not have a firm estimate as to when Nottingham station will be able to re-open however we expect trains to be disrupted on all routes through Nottingham for the whole of Friday January 12."

A Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "The incident at Nottingham Train Station is now a large incident.

"There are now ten fire engines in attendance and approximately 50 firefighters fighting the fire at Nottingham train station.

"Crews working hard on the scene to resolve this incident - thank you for your patience.

"All persons are accounted for at the scene and understood to be no injuries as it stands - firefighters still working hard."

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage - but trains are not expected to start running until at least midday and disruption is expected on railway services in the area for the rest of the day.

A National Rail spokesman said: "Emergency services are dealing with a fire incident at Nottingham, causing major disruption to trains at the station.

"At present, the station has been evacuated and emergency services are on on site.

"Whilst the station remains closed, no trains will be able to run to or from the station.

"East Midlands Trains are advising customers not to travel to or from Nottingham station this morning.

"There is no firm estimate yet of how long disruption will last but it is likely to continue until at least 12:00."

Nottinghamshire Police said they had closed a number of roads around the area.

A spokesman said: "The roads around Nottingham Railway Station have been closed because of a fire at the station.

"Station Street, Carrington Street and Queen's Road have been closed by Nottinghamshire Police while Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and British Transport Police deal with the incident, which was reported at around 6.30am."

A British Transport Police spokesman added: "We're on scene at Nottingham Train Station assisting Nottingham Fire and Rescue Service as they deal with a fire in the main concourse of the station.

"The station has been evacuated and no trains are running." </s> A huge fire that swept through a building near the stables at Camden Market in London had been brought under control, with no injuries as yet reported.

The London Fire Brigade said the blaze, which broke out late on Sunday night, London time, had been tamed. Firefighters were continuing to dampen down the area to stop any further outbreaks, it said.

The cause of the fire is not yet known, but it is said to have broken out in a building where many restaurants and kitchens are located.

Earlier the London Fire Brigade tweeted that the first, second and third floors, plus the roof, of the building were ablaze. </s> London — Firefighters were battling a massive fire and evacuating residents from a burning 27-storey building in London early on Wednesday morning.

One side of the building appeared to be in flames, and 45 fire engines and 200 firefighters were called to the scene.

The London Fire Brigade tweeted that the fire involved the second to the top floor and a number of people were being treated for a range of injuries.

The building is the Grenfell Tower in the North Kensington area.

George Clarke, the presenter of television show Amazing Spaces, told Radio 5 Live he was covered in ash even though he was 100 metres from the scene.

He said he saw people waving flashlights from the top levels of the building and saw rescuers "doing an incredible job" trying to get people out. </s> London Fire Brigade says more than 70 firefighters called in to tackle the blaze in north London.

A huge fire has broken out in the London's Camden Town area and more than 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines have been called in to tackle the blaze, London Fire Brigade said.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: "Police were called on Monday at 12.10am to Camden Lock Market to reports of a fire.

"London Fire Brigade were already at the scene when officers arrived. It is unknown at this stage if any persons are injured, we await update."

In June, a fire engulfed the Grenfell Tower in west London, killing at least 79 people. </s> The arsonist behind the large scale fire at Nottingham Train Station last year could face a stiffer punishment when caught under new proposals.

Tougher sentences are being considered for vandals whose crimes result in damage to listed buildings or a major emergency response under new sentencing plans.

Proposed guidelines spell out how courts should take account of the economic or social impact inflicted by perpetrators who deliberately set fires.

The draft guidance, which also covers criminal damage, sets out a number of possible "aggravating" factors which can lead to a more severe penalty.

They include cases where there is a "significant impact" on emergency services to reflect the gravity of offences which require large numbers of police and fire vehicles - meaning fewer resources are available for any other incidents.

The proposed guidelines, published on Tuesday by the Sentencing Council, also cite "damage caused to heritage assets" such as listed buildings or historic objects as a possible aggravating feature.

This factor is included to ensure the damage to parts of the country's heritage and history is considered when deciding on sentences.

It would mean the courts could bring a tougher punishment to bear on the attacker behind the fire started in the ladies' toilet in the early hours of Friday, January 12.

The blaze ripped through the station, part of which is Grade II-listed, bringing services to a halt for 24 hours and causing "millions of pounds" of damage .

A 33-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the incident but has been released under investigation.

Existing guidance on the offending types is limited, according to the Sentencing Council.

The body said the new guidelines for England and Wales acknowledge that harm can involve not only physical injury but long-term psychological effects, while damage to property can mean more than just financial loss.

A consultation document setting out the plans says: "Even damage to items that have little financial value can cause great distress to victims, as the items may be of great sentimental value, and may be irreplaceable."

The guidelines provide more detailed assistance for courts in sentencing racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage cases.

Sentencing Council member Judge Sarah Munro QC said: "The guidelines we are proposing will help ensure consistency in the sentencing of these extremely varied offences.

"They can range from very minor damage to property up to an intent to endanger lives, and the guidelines set out an approach to sentencing that will help ensure appropriate sentences according to the seriousness of each offence."

The guidelines cover arson, criminal damage or arson with intent to endanger life, criminal damage valued at above and below £5,000, threats to destroy or damage property, and racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage.

Cases where there are fatalities are likely to result in murder or manslaughter charges rather than arson or criminal damage.

A consultation on the draft guidelines will run from March 29 to June 28. </s> Dozens of firefighters are battling to bring a major fire under control at London's famous Camden Lock market.

Dramatic pictures and videos of the blaze at the popular tourist destination show a significant fire is raging.

Emergency services were called to the market in north London just before midnight.

The London Fire Brigade said ten fire engines and 70 firefighters had been dispatched.

There is not thought to be any injuries with London Ambulance Service saying they are not treating anybody at scene.

Part of Camden High Street has also been cordoned off while the fire is dealt with.

One witness tweeted: "On a night bus I just passed the start of a big fire in Camden, now at Euston I've seen lots of ambulances head north."

Another said: "Just drove past Camden market and there's a huge fire on top a building, close to the Loch Bridge! Crazy crazy scenes."

Twitter user DJ Dan shared shocking footage as the blaze raged in front of him.

Some 40 million people visit the market each year, according to its website.

It houses dozens of stalls selling international cuisine, fashion and home decorations.

A major blaze ravaged the area in 2008, shutting the attraction for several months. </s> Firefighters are battling to save what is believed to be one of Britain’s oldest hotels, which is threatened by an out-of-control fire that has already destroyed neighbouring buildings.

About 120 firefighters are at the scene in central Exeter, Devon, trying to stop the blaze from spreading through the timber-framed Royal Clarence hotel, the roof of which has already been destroyed.

Reserve firefighters are among those who have been mobilised to work the 27 pumps, four aerial ladder platforms and high-volume pump deployed so far to try to put out the flames. However, by 1pm on Friday it was not yet under control, a spokesman for Devon and Somerset fire and rescue said.

The spokesman, who is at the scene, said: “It started in a building called the Gallery which is a row of buildings opposite the cathedral. That has been completely destroyed, but the fire has spread across the roof void to the roof of the Royal Clarence hotel, which is quite an old, famous landmark in Exeter. The roof has been basically destroyed by fire.

“Because of the complex structure of the old buildings here, we haven’t been able to put firefighters on the inside, so we’re fighting it from the outside. We’ve got the aerial ladder platforms so we are pouring water on top of it. We are trying to contain it, but there are signs now of damage to the initial bedroom floors of the hotel.”

Efforts to fight the fire have been consuming much of Exeter’s water supply. South West Water told customers in the city centre that it had been forced to make alterations to its mains network to support the fire service.

“As a result some customers in the city centre, and potentially in the Wonford area, may experience low pressure or discoloration of their water supply. The Royal Devon and Exeter and Nuffield hospitals will not be affected,” a statement from the company said.

The fire began just after 5am. By the afternoon, large crowds had gathered at police cordons surrounding Cathedral Green to watch, the fire service spokesman said.

“There is a large amount of smoke coming off the building,” he said. “It’s right in the centre of Exeter, so it’s getting a lot of attention from people watching what’s happening.”

Concealed voids and passageways within burning buildings, as well as their timber construction, were making the fire difficult to deal with. However, there have been no injuries and everyone believed to have been in the buildings has been accounted for, according to Devon and Cornwall police.

The local historian Dr Todd Gray told the BBC that the buildings under threat and those already destroyed were “hugely significant for Exeter”.

Describing the Royal Clarence hotel, he said: “It’s the building where they first declared themselves as a hotel. Before that we had inns, but they took the new French word and applied it to their building. This was the place to stay.”

Police have closed roads at the junctions of High Street and South Street, of South Street and the Cathedral Green, on Queen Street at the rear end of Tesco, on North Street at the Iron Bridge end, on Musgrave Road and on Bedford Square at the junction with High Street.

The cause of the fire is not believed to be suspicious.
A major fire engulfs parts of Nottingham station, United Kingdom.