Wimbledon Centre Court evacuated after restaurant fire

Wimbledon's famed Centre Court was evacuated after the close of play on Wednesday as firemen and police responded to a fire in one of the stadium's plush restaurants.

An AFP photographer at the scene saw smoke coming from near a dining terrace.

Police vans and fire engines were in attendance, and firemen in full breathing apparatus were seen going past the well-known Fred Perry statue to the east of the 15,000-capacity arena as security staff also rushed to the scene with fire extinguishers.

London Fire Brigade said they had been called to the historic tennis venue, but did not give details, while London's Metropolitan Police said they were also on hand, and that the incident was "not suspicious".

The All England Club later confirmed that the evacuation of mainly staff and media was due to a fire.

"The All England Club has confirmed that the Centre Court building was evacuated following an incident at 20:57 tonight involving a small fire in an electrical plant room located to the side of the Wingfield Restaurant," said a club statement.

"The incident, which occurred approximately 60 minutes after play had finished for the day, was attended by the London Fire Brigade and the fire was extinguished."

Earlier, a spokesman for Wimbledon told AFP "that the evacuation was carried out in accordance with our standard operating procedures" and that there were no injuries.
Source: AFP