TikTok famous takeaway that made neighbours 'lives a misery' with constant noise and fights outside burns down in huge fire

By NOOR QURASHI, NEWS REPORTER and WILL HALLOWELL, NEWS REPORTER Published: 09:15, 21 July 2026 | Updated: 09:22, 21 July 2026 A TikTok famous takeaway accused of keeping neighbours up with late-night noise, litter and fights has burnt down in a huge fire. Dozens of firefighters attended the scene at Lebanese Grill Express in Clerkenwell, central London, in the early hours of Thursday morning. The food spot - which amassed thousands of views online for its shawarma - had only been open for one day following a court ordered closure when the blaze struck. The flames destroyed the shop, a loft extension, and the roof of the building as well as damaging part of the first and second floors. Seven residents escaped the building and firefighters evacuated surrounding properties for safety, according to the London Fire Brigade. The business had been shut following repeated complaints from residents on the nearby Bourne Estate about noise, litter, smoke, and fighting keeping them up at night. Locals complained previously that Lebanese Grill Express appeared to be 'above the law'. Dozens of firefighters attended the blaze at Lebanese Grill Express in Clerkenwell, central London , in the early hours of Thursday morning Seven residents escaped the building and firefighters evacuated surrounding properties for safety, according to the London Fire Brigade The London Fire Brigade said: 'Two of the Brigade's 32–metre turntable ladders were deployed to the scene to help fight the fire from above' One, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'It isn't safe for our kids anymore. It's like the Wild West.' Another Bourne Estate resident, a mother–of–two, added: 'At about 5pm, teenagers from all over London come to do TikTok videos. That, in itself, causes problems with noise. 'But then there's violence and fighting, souped–up cars that turn up late in the evening, driving up and down Leather Lane. Some people have even had fireworks fired at their windows. 'Then there's the level of noise and the fear factor, which is real. People don't want to go out on Leather Lane after the market's gone. It's not a safe area to walk around now.' The recent fire was out in just over three hours, with 80 firefighters attending the scene. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation. The London Fire Brigade said: 'Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters tackled a fire at a shop with dwellings above on Leather Lane in Clerkenwell. 'The fire destroyed a ground floor shop and the roof of the building, as well as a loft extension. Half of the first floor and part of the second floor were damaged by the fire. Lebanese Grill's manager Zack Khan previously denied it was 'responsible' for customers' litter or for playing loud music into the early hours of the morning 'Seven residents left the properties of the three–storey building before the Brigade arrived and firefighters evacuated the neighbouring properties as a precaution. There are no reports of any injuries. 'Two of the Brigade's 32–metre turntable ladders were deployed to the scene to help fight the fire from above. 'The Brigade's Control Office was first called at 0542 and mobilised crews from Soho, Euston, Islington and other surrounding fire stations to the scene. The fire was under control by 0851.' Lebanese Grill Express was contacted for comment. After opening in 2021, a meeting was held between the restaurant's owners, local residents, police and the local council to find ways to reduce the disruption. At another meeting two years later, it was claimed that the kebab shop's owner accused the police and council of incompetence and residents of racism. And last November the kebab shop's late-night licence was reviewed on the basis of pollution, which later led to it being revoked. Ward councillors said Lebanese Grill had been a source of 'significant public nuisance, disorder and environmental degradation'. These were said to have included 'aggressive behaviour, loud and abusive language, spitting, public fighting, and intimidation by groups of individuals, many of whom travel from outside the borough'. And Melanie Tew, chair of the Bourne Estate Tenants and Residents Association, said in December 'the community has been destroyed' by the disruption. But the decision was appealed, meaning Lebanese Grill could still operate until 1am until their appeal is heard. In April, however, the takeaway - which was recently given a zero-star rating for food hygiene - has said 'it's not our duty' to police anti-social behaviour once customers leave the shop. Lebanese Grill's manager Zack Khan denied it was 'responsible' for customers' litter or for playing loud music into the early hours of the morning. He told the Daily Mail: 'It's not true there is loud music. We go out as a business to keep the peace and respect our neighbours. 'We tell customers to "turn your music off" and "if you won't, we won't serve you". We're doing our best to keep the place tidy. 'It's not our duty to collect litter but we do it as a good will gesture to not upset neighbours. Whatever we do is not good enough. 'To be honest, people do throw litter but we go out two, three times a night and pick it up. It doesn't all come from Lebanese Grill but a lot of complaints are directed our way.'