A cafe in Scotland’s capital where author J.K. Rowling wrote some of the Harry Potter books has been damaged in a fire.
The Elephant House in Edinburgh suffered smoke and water damage after a blaze broke out at the patisserie next door on Tuesday.
Footage shows the extent of damage to the Elephant House 'Harry Potter' cafe in Edinburgh following a nearby fire.
— BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) August 25, 2021
More ➡️ https://t.co/vaQrfnyKEG pic.twitter.com/89Xr46SxGb
More than 60 firefighters and 12 fire engines were deployed to tackle the blaze. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said one of its crew members was taken to hospital as a precaution and later released.
Images showed the cafe with its front windows gone, a ruined interior and debris lying outside.
Owner David Taylor told the BBC he was “devastated” by the extensive damage to his business. He said the cafe would likely be closed for months for repairs.
The Elephant House is a regular stop for Harry Potter fans and long bore a sign declaring itself as the “birthplace” of the fictional young wizard.
This is the true birthplace of Harry Potter, if you define 'birthplace' as the spot where I put pen to paper for the first time.* I was renting a room in a flat over what was then a sports shop. The first bricks of Hogwarts were laid in a flat in Clapham Junction. pic.twitter.com/HVORnPVboK
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 21, 2020
Rowling has disputed that, saying she began writing the magical stories before she moved to Edinburgh. But she confirmed she frequented the cafe while penning some of the seven-book series.
Gutted to read about and see the fire damage at The Elephant House in Edinburgh. 😞 I was there just days ago eating cranachan, beautiful place, staff, history and some great artwork on the walls. pic.twitter.com/EGSabzIZ43
— Lee Bebbington (@wizbebbs) August 25, 2021
The Patisserie Valerie, where Tuesday’s fire started, also was heavily damaged. Firefighters remained at the scene in Edinburgh’s Old Town with the street closed off into Wednesday.