Sell-out concert postponed after tour bus blaze

The arena in Greenwich, south-east London, was not affected by the blaze but the time it took to assess the damage meant there was no choice but to call off last night's performance by the band, whose hit single Sex On Fire was number one for three weeks in 2008.

Six people needed treatment for smoke inhalation after the fire broke out in a loading area, leaving the buses gutted.

A spokeswoman for venue said that Tuesday morning's fire on board the tour buses had forced the postponement of the concert.

At first, it was not clear whether one or both of the buses had been damaged by the blaze, but an initial statement that only one vehicle had been damaged was later amended.

The band had played Sheffield Motorpoint Arena on Sunday as part of the tour.