Dozens of firefighters have spent hours bringing a complex fire at the old BBC Television Centre in White City under control.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said about 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines had been called to the nine-storey building on Wood Lane shortly after 3am on Saturday.
The fire was eventually brought under control just after 5pm on Saturday and the cause of the fire is now under investigation by the London Fire Brigade’s Investigation Unit.
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.
The LFB shared footage of smoke rising from the building at 3pm on Saturday. The brigade described the blaze as a “complex fire” but said firefighters continue to make steady progress.
Fire services have been using a drone to help tackle the blaze, with around a dozen crew spotted on the roof of the building working to bring the fire under control.
The Salvation Army was also seen on site, handing out sandwiches to emergency workers.
The fire service said in an earlier 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 have been evacuated as a precaution and a rest centre has been set up for those who had to leave their homes.
Li Mei, 36, who lives in a luxury 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.”
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.
Firefighters continue to work to extinguish the fire affecting a mixed-use building in White City.
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) September 6, 2025
We are expected to remain on scene throughout the day.
More: https://t.co/x6fo2wOu67 pic.twitter.com/BDSdB995IB
“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.”
The BBC was primarily based at Television Centre until 2013 before moving to its current location at Broadcasting House.
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.
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.
Thanks to the hardworking firefighters who continue to tackle a major fire in White City.
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) September 6, 2025
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
The Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said in a post on X: “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”.
