London's River Cafe wrecked in fire

By Lizzie Smith, sundaymirror.co.uk 6/04/2008

The top restaurant that launched the career of TV chefs Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall was badly damaged in a fire last night.

Firefighters battled for two hours to control the blaze in the Michelin-starred River Cafe, which started just after 7.30pm in the kitchen.

The cafe in Hammersmith, West London, was packed when the fire was spotted.

Police were drafted in to help control watching crowds. A spokeswoman for the London Fire Service said four crews tackled the blaze. About 10 per cent of the ground floor was gutted.

The River Cafe opened 20 years ago. Thirty-two-year-old Jamie's big break came when he spent three years as a sous chef. Hugh, 43, worked there before his hit River Cottage series. The cafe, in a warehouse on the Thames, was due to close in August for refurbishment.