Car bursts into flames in Heath St

Saturday 23 January 2010 at 7.15pm
My colleague Stephen Stark reports on this incident this evening:

A car burst into flames outside Sweaty Betty sports shop on Heath Street, Hampstead setting fire to its shop front and affecting businesses close including Bacchus restaurant. The police, fire service and ambulance were quickly on the scene to deal with the incident and put out the fire. Heath Street and High Street at the junction with Hampstead Tube Station had to be closed off and buses including 10 double decker rail replacement buses backed up down High Street. Police quickly redirected traffic as best they could.

Stephen Stark, conservative councillor candidate for Hampstead Town Ward was also at the scene as he is a local resident of Hampstead Village. Stephen telephoned Cllr Chris Knight to advise him of the situation and Chris spoke to the police officer at the scene to offer the help of Camden Council as required.

Stephen is a local resident living and working in Hampstead Village and able to act quickly to serve its interests. Stephen hopes to become your councilor and join the conservative team in Hampstead.

Update from Stephen Stark 9.00pm:

Roads in the vicinity of the incident are clear and traffic moving freely. Burnt out car waiting to be picked up. Burnt out shop front to Sweaty Betty and Bacchus restaurant cordoned off with police in attendance