Roof damaged in arts academy fire

The nearby Royal Academy building was evacuated

The roof of a Royal Academy of Arts (RA) building in central London has been severely damaged by fire.

At its height 60 firefighters tackled the blaze in Burlington Gardens, Piccadilly, on Tuesday afternoon.

A fire brigade spokesman said 30% of the roof had been completely destroyed by the fire.

The RA, which owns the building, said it was currently empty and described it as a "separate site". During the fire the main building was evacuated.

The building which caught fire, 6 Burlington Gardens, was adjacent to but separate from the main RA building.

The Saatchi gallery has been preparing a major exhibition on American art in the Burlington Gardens building and said it may have to postpone the opening, which was due for 6 October.

Firefighters brought the fire under control on Tuesday evening and spent the night ensuring the area was safe.