In the predawn hours of Saturday, September 6, 2025, a massive fire erupted at the former BBC Television Centre in London’s White City, sending plumes of smoke into the sky and drawing a rapid, large-scale response from emergency services. The iconic nine-storey building, now known as the Helios Building, was once the heart of the BBC’s broadcasting empire before its relocation in 2013, and today houses not only television studios but also luxury apartments, a hotel, a gym, and a restaurant. As flames licked the upper floors, the drama that unfolded was both a test of London’s emergency services and a moment of anxiety for residents and the city’s television community.
The London Fire Brigade was first alerted to the blaze at 3:08 AM local time, according to statements on its website and reporting from multiple outlets including BBC News, Sky News, and The Independent. Within minutes, 15 fire engines and about 100 firefighters from stations in Hammersmith, North Kensington, Kensington, Chiswick, and surrounding areas were on the scene. The fire was concentrated on the top floors, affecting a restaurant, external decking, ducting, and an unspecified number of flats. The Brigade deployed two 32-meter turntable ladders as water towers to attack the flames from above, while their drone team provided commanders with a bird’s-eye view of the situation.
By 8:00 AM, the fire was still burning in the restaurant and its adjacent structures. The Brigade’s update at that time underscored the seriousness of the incident: “The brigade is working alongside multi-agency partners, including the Metropolitan Police, to evacuate buildings in the area as a precaution. A rest centre is being set up for residents who have been evacuated from their homes. Wood Lane is currently closed to traffic and people are advised to avoid the area as the incident will remain ongoing for some time.”
Eyewitness accounts from residents painted a vivid picture of the confusion and fear that accompanied the evacuation. Isabela Brooker, who lives on the seventh floor with her infant son Rafael, described the moment she was forced to flee: “We heard a knock on the door and it was the fire brigade telling us to evacuate. There was smoke all in the corridor—it was very scary. I left everything and we’re now down here in our pyjamas. I have no nappies and nothing else,” she told BBC News. Another resident recalled being woken by his girlfriend at 3:00 AM and seeing “about 100 firefighters and at least eight or nine fire engines… 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.”
Li Mei, who lives in a luxury apartment block across the road, shared her concern with The Independent: “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.”
Despite the scale of the fire and the number of people affected, the emergency response was swift and effective. The London Ambulance Service confirmed that only one patient was treated at the scene and discharged, while a baby was treated for smoke inhalation and also released. No deaths or serious injuries were reported. The Fire Brigade’s professionalism was noted by residents and officials alike. A spokesperson for Television Centre expressed gratitude: “We can confirm that residents and staff members were evacuated safely. We are hugely grateful to the London Fire Brigade for their swift response and to the Metropolitan Police for their support. We continue to work closely with the emergency services and local authorities to ensure the building is secure.”
The closure of Wood Lane, a major artery in West London, and the establishment of a police cordon had ripple effects throughout the neighborhood. Several cafes and restaurants below the Helios Building were forced to close, and a rest centre was quickly set up for evacuees. Crowds gathered on the street, some in pajamas or clutching children, watching as exhausted firefighters worked through the morning and into the day. The Brigade indicated that crews would remain on site all day to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and to assess the damage.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Investigators are expected to begin their work once the site is deemed safe. The building’s history adds a layer of poignancy to the incident. Once the nerve center of British broadcasting, the BBC Television Centre was home to beloved programs such as Strictly Come Dancing, QI, and numerous ITV productions including Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway and This Morning. Since the BBC’s move to Broadcasting House between 2007 and 2013—a move prompted by a projected £2 billion funding shortfall—the site has been transformed into a mixed-use complex, with 162 homes, a 47-bedroom hotel, and a gym, according to the Helios Building’s website.
London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, took to X (formerly Twitter) to thank the emergency services: “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.”
For those with long memories, the incident also stirred recollections of the 2001 car bomb outside the Television Centre, an attack claimed by the Real IRA. That earlier emergency ended without loss of life, thanks to a timely evacuation. Saturday’s fire, while of a different nature, once again highlighted the vulnerability of even iconic buildings and the importance of coordinated emergency response.
As the day wore on, the focus shifted from the spectacle of smoke and flames to the practicalities of recovery. Residents faced the prospect of returning to homes that may have been damaged by fire, smoke, or water. The full extent of the damage to the restaurant, flats, and other facilities will only become clear once the site is fully secured and inspected. Meanwhile, the television studios—still in use for high-profile shows—will need to assess any disruption to their production schedules.
Throughout the ordeal, the professionalism and dedication of London’s firefighters and emergency responders were on full display. Their efforts, combined with the cooperation of residents and the support of local authorities, ensured that a potentially devastating event was managed with minimal harm to life and property. As investigations continue into the cause of the blaze, the community’s attention turns to rebuilding and ensuring the continued safety of one of London’s most storied buildings.
Saturday’s fire at the former BBC Television Centre was a stark reminder of both the dangers that can strike unexpectedly and the resilience of a city and its people in the face of crisis.
