The East Room and Sosho to close for 18 months following fire, says owner

The East Room and Sosho cocktail bar won’t be back in business for at least 18 months following this morning’s devastating fire, says owner Jonathan Downey.

“I can’t imagine how it happened,” he told Caterer. “I was getting my kids ready at the time and in a few short hours we’ve lost everything.”

Fire and water damage at the building in Tabernacle Street, East London, has resulted in “millions of pounds worth of damage“ and the building has since been declared unsafe.

The East Room opened two years ago and Downey said that business had been “absolutely flying” at both sites despite the challenging economic climate. “We now have to deal with the insurance companies and hopefully we can rebuild from there,” he added.

The London Fire Brigade has suggested that the blaze originated from within Sosho, but Downey said it will be many months before anything is confirmed. He said that the suspicion is that the fire began in the basement or lower level of either Sosho or a neighbouring building before it quickly spread.

More than 100 firefighters and 20 fire engines began tackling the fire after it was reported at 4.32am. It was brought under control by 11.20am and there were no reported injuries.

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