Muswell Hill is in "chaos" this afternoon after a pub kitchen caught fire.
London Fire Brigade were called at 11.58am today (October 12) to the Victoria Stakes, where parts of the ground and first floor were damaged.
According to staff, the fire affected “30 per cent” of the kitchen area. The entire air duct system on the second floor was also destroyed.
Six fire engines and 35 fire fighters from Hornsey, Southgate, Tottenham, Kentish Town, Finchley and Homerton were at the scene, and had the blaze under control by just after 2pm.
Bus services were diverted, with the 144 and W7 not serving Muswell Hill. Passengers have been told to catch their bus from Alexandra Park.
Absolute chaos at bottom Muswell Hill. Seems @VictoriaStakes on fire. Lots of @LondonFire in attendance. Hill closed from Priory Rd
— Lesley Ramm (@HornseyN8) 12 October 2016
Concerned something drastic has happened to @victoriastakes in #muswellhill / #crouchend. Fire engines, rd sealed, hoses in thru window 😕
— Mich (@sayitwithsocial) 12 October 2016
Michele Wyckoff-Smith lives behind the Victoria Stakes and says it is her "local".
She told the Enfield Independent: "It started around noon, I saw smoke coming from the kitchen vent.
"I ran to the front of the pub, I saw all the staff gathered there, they had called the fire brigade.
"It's horrible, it looks like it is going to have sustained some quite heavy damage, it might need some rebuilding.
"The firefighters have had to go right up to the top floor, I could see them from my kitchen window."
It is the second major incident to affect Muswell Hill this week, after a burst water main closed Muswell Hill Road for two days and flooded homes, causing people to be evacuated.
The cause of the fire is not known, and is under investigation by the London Fire Brigade.
The pub released a statement saying: "With a heavy heart we announce Victoria Stakes has suffered a severe fire.
"Thankfully no-one was hurt. Clean up operation starts ASAP."
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