Firefighters tackle blaze at BBC’s former HQ Television Centre

By John Besley, Jordan Reynolds and Joe Hadden, PA

Dozens of firefighters are battling a blaze at the old BBC Television Centre in London’s White City.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said about 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines had been called to the nine-storey building on Wood Lane.

Photos from the scene show crews at the Helios Building at the BBC’s former headquarters, which has since been converted into flats and a restaurant.

Smoke was still billowing from the rooftop rotunda late on Saturday morning as firefighters used a drone to help tackle the blaze and crowds gathered on the street to watch and take photos.

A police cordon sealed off the plaza, forcing the closure of several cafes and restaurants below.

The Salvation Army could be seen handing out sandwiches to emergency workers.

The fire service said in a statement: “The fire is currently affecting floors towards the top of the building.

“A restaurant, external decking and ducting is currently alight. An unknown number of flats have also potentially been affected by the fire.”

One person was treated by paramedics then discharged at the scene, London Ambulance Service said.

Nearby buildings are being evacuated as a precaution and a rest centre has been set up for those who had to leave their homes.

Crews continue to work at the scene of a fire in White City.

The fire is in a mixed-use building, with a restaurant and external decking among the areas of the building currently alight.

Please avoid the area.https://t.co/x6fo2wOu67 pic.twitter.com/QbUeLo9yLh

— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) September 6, 2025

A resident who lives in converted flats in the old BBC Television Centre said: “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.

“We were in a different part of the building on the other side of the complex, so I wasn’t evacuated or instructed by any firefighters, but they seemed very on it.

“They were, you know, very professional, from what I could see.”

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 3.13am today to reports of a fire on Wood Lane in White City.

“We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an incident response officer and our hazardous area response team.

“We have treated one patient and discharged them at the scene.

“The incident is ongoing and we remain on scene as a precaution, working closely with our emergency services partners.”

Li Mei, 36, who lives in an apartment block across the road, told the PA news agency: “I got up this morning and my partner told me to look out of the window.

“There was so much smoke – we were worried it was going to get worse.

“Thank God it seems like nobody has died.”

The BBC was primarily based at Television Centre until 2013 before moving to its current location at Broadcasting House.

The site still includes television studios where popular shows such as Loose Women and Good Morning Britain are filmed. It is unclear if any studios have been affected.

The website for the Helios Building says it currently accommodates 162 homes, along with a gym and a 47-bedroom hotel.

Wood Lane is closed to traffic and people are advised to avoid the area.

The brigade said first reports of the fire were received just after 3am and crews from Hammersmith, North Kensington, Kensington, Chiswick and surrounding fire stations were sent to the scene.

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.

Follow @LondonFire for updates ⬇️ https://t.co/1g4NIyoqEp

— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) September 6, 2025

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

The cause of the fire is not known.

The Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan posted on X saying: “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.

“Follow @LondonFire for updates”.