100 firefighters tackle blaze at former BBC television centre in London's White City

About 100 firefighters have been battling a blaze at the former BBC television centre in London's White City.

Fifteen fire engines were called to the nine-storey building on Wood Lane, with flames affecting the top floors, London Fire Brigade said.

London Ambulance Service said one person was treated by paramedics after it was called shortly before 3.15am.

The building is the old BBC television centre, which was the broadcaster's headquarters until 2013 and has since been converted to flats and a restaurant.

In an update at 8am on Saturday, the fire brigade said the blaze was affecting the top floors of the building.

A restaurant, external decking and ducting remains alight, while a number of flats have also been affected by the fire, a spokesperson said.

Several nearby flats were evacuated as a precaution and a rest centre has been set up, while Wood Lane is closed to traffic and people are advised to avoid the area.

Fire looked 'quite sinister,' resident says

First reports of the blaze were received just after 3am and crews from Hammersmith, North Kensington, Kensington, Chiswick and surrounding fire stations were mobilised to the scene.

A resident who lives in the building told the PA news agency: "I got woken up by my girlfriend at 3am who was coming back from work - we could really smell the smoke, it was quite thick.

"We could see about 100 firefighters and at least eight or nine fire engines that were all parked up. I could just see a red glow.

"It was glowing really intensely, it almost looked like a portal to the underworld. It was quite sinister."

Li Mei, 36, who lives in an apartment block across the road, also told the news agency: "There was so much smoke - we were worried it was going to get worse.

"Thank God it seems like nobody has died."

Two 32-metre turntable ladders are being deployed as water towers to help extinguish the fire from height, the brigade said.

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The cause of the fire is not yet known.

London's mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said on social media at around 9.30am: "Thanks to the hardworking firefighters who continue to tackle a major fire in White City.

"Residents have been safely evacuated, with a rest centre in place. Wood Lane remains closed, and crews are expected on scene throughout the day."

(c) Sky News 2025: 100 firefighters tackle blaze at former BBC television centre in London's White City