Flames rise up from a massive basement fire in Dean St, Soho Twitter

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MORE than 100 firefighters have spent hours battling a huge fire in Soho's Dean Street.

About 20 fire engines and crews were called to Dean Street at about 2pm on Friday as a major blaze ripped through the building.

Dean Street was evacuated and Oxford Street closed as the flames and smoke, which could be seen across the capital, erupted from the office building believed to belong to Future Capital, next to the famous Red Fort restaurant.

Ambulances were called to treat two firefighters who were hurt while tackling the blaze.

Hundreds of evacuated workers and tourists gathered in Frith Street and Oxford Street taking pictures on their mobile phones.

It is thought the fire started in an air-conditioning duct of the building that was previously home to British movie company Future Films, which produced Bend It Like Beckham.

"It's really shocking, it's something that you don't see every day. It's really getting to serious stuff now - we can see the black bits coming out"

Musician David McAlmont, who had a top 10 hit with Yes as half of McAlmont and Butler, was among the crowd gathered at the cordon's edge.

He said: "I'm supposed to be playing a gig tonight at the Pizza Express in Dean Street, so I don't know how this will affect it.

"I saw the smoke from St Martin's Lane and followed it all the way here. It was only then that I realised what was happening."

Nino Ripani, manager of nearby restaurant Signor Zilli's, said: "It's really shocking, it's something that you don't see every day. It's really getting to serious stuff now - we can see the black bits coming out."

"We are trading as normal at the moment and will wait to see if there are any further instructions. We're just playing it by ear."

The fire is the second blaze to hit Soho in as many days. On Thursday, fire crews were called to a building in Newport Place, housing a restaurant and offices.

Fire engines struggled through the crowds to get to the building.