David Jubb, the artistic director of Battersea Arts Centre, said he was 'overwhelmed' by public generosity after a fire ripped through the Grade II listed building last night . The 'heartbroken' artistic director of Battersea Arts Centre said he was overwhelmed by public generosity after a fire ripped through the Grade II listed building last night. Donations began flooding in as soon as news broke that the 120-year-old arts building was on fire at just after 4.15pm yesterday, which engulfed the roof and destroyed the Grand Hall and Lower Hall. Nearly 1,000 people have now given money to an appeal set up by the charity National Funding Scheme which has raised more than £22,000 in just 24 hours. More than 80 firefighters battled to bring the blaze under control, some fighting the fire from above using aerial platform ladders. Billowing black smoke was seen for miles around the theatre while there were reports of people watching on in tears as flames engulfed the tower at the top of the centre, which then collapsed. London Fire Brigade were able to save half of the building, including the 'priceless' octagonal dome, and salvage artwork from the centre, while some crews remained at the scene yesterday damping down hot spots. The centre reopened parts of the building  undamaged by fire for performances last night. Battersea's artistic director David Jubb said: 'The most important thing' was that nobody was hurt in the fire. 'It's heartbreaking. But we will get through this. Brick by brick. 'Huge thanks are owed to all the emergency services, who literally saved the front half of the building, to staff, artists and volunteers at Battersea Arts Centre, and to everyone who has shown their overwhelming support online over the last 24 hours. 'The passion for the building and the organisation is extraordinary. Thank you all for being part of this. We really need you at this time.' The cause of the fire is unclear but investigators were continuing to sift through the ashes yesterday to look for clues. Station Manager Matt Burrows, who visited the scene, said: 'Firefighters did a great job to save large parts of the building including the octagonal dome which I'm told is priceless and salvaged valuable art work. 'The centre are hopeful that they will be able to open unaffected areas of the building to the public today. We'll continue to damp down and our fire investigators are inspecting the building to find the cause.' Scroll down for video . The aftermath: The remains of the Battersea Arts Centre in south London after a blaze ripped through the building last night, damaging half and destroying the 120-year-old structure's roof . The outline of the Grade II listed building disappeared in the smoke and flames that engulfed the roof and destroyed the tower yesterday . Black smoke and flames could be seen for miles after the massive blaze broke out out at the historic Battersea Arts Centre in south London at just after 4.15pm yesterday . This incredible photo shows the flames of the inferno reaching up into the sky behind nearby homes who were warned to keep doors and windows closed against the smoke . Firefighters had advised people living and working nearby to keep doors and windows closed as a precaution after the fire broke out yesterday afternoon. By midnight on Friday, the fire service had scaled back the effort to four fire engines and around thirty firefighters who battled to get the fire under control. An ambulance service spokesman said crews had treated a woman for smoke inhalation at the scene but she had not required hospital treatment. Nicholas Bennett, a magistrate at nearby Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court, said yesterday that black smoke had been 'everywhere, engulfing the  area.' Rumours that the nearby Clapham Junction railway station had been evacuated were confirmed false by Network Rail but Lavender Hill was closed in both directions. Battersea Arts Centre had tweeted that yesterday's performance of Missing was cancelled due to the blaze. Fire destroyed the Grand Hall and Lower Hall but London Fire Brigade were able to save half of the building including the 'priceless' octagonal dome . Flames had engulfed the roof of the Grade II listed property which later collapsed into the theatre building which was surrounded by scaffolding . London Fire Brigade confirmed that half of the building was damaged by the fire with some parts being completely destroyed . 'Thank you to everyone for the kind words & well wishes,' a spokesman added. London Fire Brigade Station Manager John Snelgrove, who was at the scene said yesterday: 'This is a large, challenging fire and crews are working hard to bring it under control. We've got 12 fire engines at the scene, as well as an aerial appliance and an aerial ladder platform fighting the fire from above. 'Firefighters are working with a number of water jets around the building to contain the fire.' Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters were called to tackle the fire Battersea Arts Centre with two aerial appliances - similar to cherry pickers - used to fight the fire from above. At the outbreak of the blaze the Brigade's control officers took over fifty 999 calls from members of the public. Billowing black smoke could be seen for miles from the arts centre as the fire took hold, which needed almost 60 firefighters to try and tackle it . Officers make their way to the blaze in Lavender Hill which has now been shut in both directions as firefighters continue to battle the fire . The London Fire Brigade said that eight fire engines and more than 80 firefighters were dealing with arts centre blaze in Battersea . The arts centre had tweeted: 'There is a fire in our building. Everyone is out safe and the fire brigade are working hard to get the fire under control.' Comedian Paul Foxcroft, who saw the blaze, said: 'The first thing I saw when I came out of my house were several fire engines hurtling past, then I saw grey smoke in the sky. 'Crowds had started to gather. There were two ladies outside with tears in their eyes. I heard one saying 'Please save it' as more firemen arrived. 'It is an institution, not just for Battersea, but for the whole of the city of London. It is hugely popular so this fire will affect a lot of people. The back of the building was under renovation.' There was an outpouring of grief on Twitter as people expressed their horror yesterday at losing part of the Arts Centre. Dan Price tweeted: 'So sad. London Fire fighting bravely to save Battersea Arts. Everyone is out safely.' Senior Producer at the BAC Richard Dufty tweeted: 'Terrible news. Battersea Arts is on fire. The Grand Hall roof.' Tom Copley ‏said: 'Oh no! Battersea Arts, one of London's most wonderful theatres, is on fire. Hope that no one is hurt and that the building can be saved.' An ambulance service spokesman confirmed that crews had attended the scene but no-one was injured, while occupants nearby were warned to keep their windows closed against the billowing black smoke . The fire could be seen clearly from a nearby train station, sparking fears that Clapham Junction was being evacuated- the rumours were later confirmed as false . Fans of the centre also tweeted their support including James Phillips who tweeted about the 'tragic loss' of the building . Baylen Leonard wrote on Twitter: ' Awful news about fire at Battersea Arts Centre, one of the most innovative and forward thinking arts centres in UK.' Louise Allen-Jones posted: ' Devastated to hear Battersea Arts Centre is on fire. Love that building so much.' One twitter user said: 'Tower on the top of Battersea Arts Centre has just collapsed. People in tears. Police moving people back.' James Phillips added: 'The Battersea Arts Centre fire is apparently contained but large parts of the Grand Hall (which survived the Blitz) are gone. A tragic loss.' The building, which was designed in 1891 by E. W. Mountforcentre, was originally opened in 1893 as Battersea Town Hall. The space was converted to a community arts centre in 1974. The popular arts venue hosts a regular series of plays and dance shows. It is a registered charity, which raises 70 per cent of its own income every year. Fire crews have not yet been able to determine what the cause of the fire today at Battersea Arts Centre's Grand Hall roof . Hazy: Smoke has filled the surrounding streets to Battersea Arts Centre after a major fire began at the theatre earlier this afternoon .
The massive blaze broke out at the historic Battersea Arts Centre in south London just after 4.15pm yesterday . More than 80 firefighters battled to bring the fire which ripped through the Grade II listed building under control . Witnesses claimed people watched in tears as flames engulfed the tower of the theatre which then collapsed . 'Heartbroken' artistic director David Jubb was overwhelmed by public generosity £22,000 was raised in just 24 hours .