Five people have been rescued by firefighters from a blaze at Kay's kosher supermarket.
The London Fire Brigade was alerted to the incident at the popular kosher chain in Golders Green north-west London, at 7:31 this morning.
A spokesperson for the LFB said three people in flats above the supermarket on Princess Parade, off Golders Green Road, were resued via a ladder and a further two were led to safety by crews. Another 25 people were evacuated before the arrival of the Brigade.
"All of the ground floor of the shop and half of the second floor of the building is alight and over 70 firefighters and officers are currently tackling the fire," the spokesperson said.
Station Manager Paul Fitzgerald, who is at the scene said: “Crews used specialist cutting equipment to break in through the shop’s roller shutters at the front of the building and worked quickly in very difficult and smoky conditions to rescue three people via ladder and lead two to safety.
"The alarm was raised by a member of the public who noticed smoke coming from the building.”
Fire engines and an aerial ladder platform from stations including Hendon, West Hampstead, Finchley and Mill Hill fire stations are at the scene.
Detective chief superintendent Simon Rose, the borough commander for Barnet said: “The LFB now have the fire under control and will deploy a fire investigation team to assess the cause.
“Police are on scene to maintain a safe cordon area and liaise with the LFB.”
He said due to the size of the blaze “police officers have been brought in from central reserves in London so that normal business can be maintained in Barnet.
“At this stage from the enquiries police have made and following consultation with the CST, there is no evidence to suggest this is a suspicious fire.”
However, he said the police were keeping an open mind.
“We currently await an expert assessment of the seat of the fire from the LFB, the result of further witness enquires and examination of relevant CCTV.
“If it is deemed non-suspicious there may be a health and safety investigation."
Hatzola attended the scene along with the London Ambulance Service to treat casualties.
Mr Rose said: “Six persons have gone to hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.
“Their injuries are not assessed to be life threatening or life changing.
“There is likely to be disruption at the scene for some time whilst the LFB damp down the fire and until the building is assessed to be safe."
The Hampstead Garden Suburb branch of Kay's closed last year due to insufficient trade.
The closure of the store meant the nearest kosher supermarket for the Jewish community to do its shopping was the Golders
