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FIRE: Church used in Bob Marley video severely damaged in fire

THE LONDON church featured in the video for Bob Marley’s hit song, Is This Love has been destroyed in a fire.

It took about 40 firefighters to tackle the blaze at The Christ Apostolic Church in King's Cross on Thursday night.

The three-story building, which was once home to what is believed to be UK's first cultural centre for the black community, Keskidee, was immortalized in Marley’s 1978 track and also featured the debut appearance of British supermodel, Naomi Campbell.

It is believed that the fire started on the ground floor and spread to the roof. The building was left severely damaged and 20 people had to be evacuated from adjacent properties.

Councillor Catherine West, leader of Islington Council, said: "This was a serious fire and I am very thankful no-one was hurt.

"The church was the site of the former Keskidee, Britain's first arts centre for the black community, and many residents still have memories of its heyday in the 70s and 80s."

The Keskidee Centre, founded in 1971, became known for its theatre productions and for many years, it was the only place to experience black theatre in London.

The centre closed in 1991 following funding problems and the building was bought by the Christ Apostolic Church.