Firefighters called to blaze at Olympic Stadium in London
A van was on fire and no one was injured. Photo: Adam Rivers
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Your support makes all the difference.Firefighters were called to tackle a blaze inside the Olympic Stadium in London this morning.
Clouds of black smoke were seen rising above the landmark, which was built for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
The London Fire Brigade said firefighters were called shortly after 7am to reports of a van on fire inside the stadium.
The blaze was put out a short time afterwards and no one was injured.
Many onlookers feared that stadium itself was on fire, putting the future of the £537 million structure into doubt.
Tom Satchwell, writing on Twitter, said it looked like "every emergency service vehicle in London" was going past his bedroom window as fire engines and police responded to the call.
The stadium is currently closed to the public for work to turn it into a multi-sport arena hosting sporting events including the 2015 Rugby World Cup and World Athletics Championships in 2017.
It will also become the home of West Ham football club and the National Competition Centre for athletics in the UK, as well as a live music venue.
A spokesperson for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which now hosts housing in the former athletes’ village and parks, said the area was evacuated as a precaution.
She added: "A van was on fire in the stadium but it was dealt with very quickly and everyone is back to work."
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