Fears are growing over the safety of a church spire following a devastating fire.

St Mark's Church, in Hamilton Road, St John's Wood, was gutted by flames in the late hours of January 26.

Around 80 firefighters were scrambled to tackle the blaze after the London Fire Brigade was alerted at 11.19pm 

The Grade II-listed two-storey building was gutted by the fire, which was under control by 2.22am.

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Maida Vale councillor Geoff Barraclough tweeted: "After last night’s fire, @StMark_HT is a blackened shell. You can smell the smoke 100m away.

"Structural engineers are assessing the damage as there are major worries about the spire."

He told the Ham&High Hamilton Terrace is now closed due to concerns about the spire.

He added: "This is desperately sad news. It's a beautiful church and the heart of the community."

The Church of England Grade II-listed Victorian church was consecrated in 1847, between Maida Vale and St John's Wood.

Kate Harrison, who has been its vicar since 2015, tweeted: "I'm broken."

This Is Local London: St Mark's Church in St John's Wood after firefighters battled flames during the nightSt Mark's Church in St John's Wood after firefighters battled flames during the night (Image: Joseph Reaidi)

Dick Schumacher, chairman of the St John's Wood Society, said: "St Mark's has been integral to the fabric of St John's Wood for 175 years, as a place of worship for its congregation and a hub for local activities.

He added: "The devastation we woke up to on Friday is tragic, and a loss for the entire community, regardless of faith."

He added: "I have gone to St Mark's to reflect or to pray when I have needed a place of calm and quiet at upsetting times in my own life.

"What makes this so meaningful for me personally is that this catastrophe means I have lost that place at exactly the moment I need it again."

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