Local parishes are sending prayers after a ferocious fire whipped through a Victorian St John's Wood church.

St Mark's Church in Hamilton Terrace has been completed destroyed by flames.

Fire crews were called at 11.19pm last night (January 26) and had the flames under control by 2.22am.

Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters were scrambled to tackle the blaze. 

The whole of the Grade II listed two-storey building was destroyed by fire. There were no reports of any injuries.

READ MORE: Footage shows St Mark’s Church on Hamilton Terrace on fire

Residents were advised to keep their windows and doors closed due to smoke.

Firefighters used two of the brigade's new 32-metre turntable ladders and a 64-metre turntable ladder (the tallest in Europe) as water towers, to get water onto the building.

The brigade's 999 control officers took more than 30 calls to the blaze.

Ham & High: More than 80 firefighters tackled the blaze whipping through St Mark's ChurchMore than 80 firefighters tackled the blaze whipping through St Mark's Church (Image: LFB)

@standrewnw3 tweeted: "Our prayers and sympathy for the congregation and priests of @StMark_HT for this awful fire and for all the fire crews attending. 

@emmanuelnw6, in West Hampstead, said:"Praying for the congregation and parish of St Mark’s Hamilton Terrace.  Particular prayers for @tweet_too_woo."

Before the blaze, at around 9pm on Thursday, St Mark's vicar Kate Harrison tweeted from her handle @tweet_too_woo: 
"You may have noticed me overtweeting tonight. I’m home alone, in pain, after overdoing it the past couple of days.

"You’re keeping me company. The codeine is kicking in though so don’t expect much sense."

 

The National Churches Trust said on its website: "St Mark's is a beautiful Grade II* listed Victorian church, located close to Abbey Road Studios and Lord's Cricket Ground.

"With links to Lewis Carroll, via Robinson Duckworth who introduced Carroll to Alice, and Queen Victoria's son, Prince Leopold, the church is an architectural and historical treasure.

"Inside you will find stunning mosaics, metal work and, in the chancel, highly decorative marble flooring. 

"The church was built in the Gothic style to the design of Thomas Cundy II."

Ham & High: Firefighters used two of the Brigade's new 32-metre turntable ladders and a 64-metre turntable ladder (the tallest in Europe) as water towers, to get water on to the building externally.Firefighters used two of the Brigade's new 32-metre turntable ladders and a 64-metre turntable ladder (the tallest in Europe) as water towers, to get water on to the building externally. (Image: LFB)

Fire crews from North Kensington, Paddington, West Hampstead and surrounding fire stations attended the scene. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation.