Firefighters are still at the scene of yesterday's early morning fire which destroyed an office block, restaurant and members' bar on the edge of the City of London.

Around 100 firefighters and 20 fire engines worked to put the fire out, which was thought to have started in the kitchen of Sosho Bar, in Tabernacle Street, Shoreditch.

It took hold around 4am Thursday morning, and has destroyed 75 per cent of the third floor and roof in the block, and 50 per cent on the second and ground floors, according to the London fire Brigade. However, nobody had to be evacuated and there have been no reports of injuries. [See pictures of the fire here]

The fire also spread to neighbouring buildings but the extent of the damage is still unknown. There were reports that thick smoke reached as far as the Bank of England and the Gherkin. [BBC video of the fire]

Last night, firefighters were still in attendance trying to dampen down hot spots. The number had dropped by 9am this morning but there were still ten firefighters at the scene.

A spokesman from LFB told info4fire: “We’re still down there, we’ve dampened it down but there are still pockets of fire.”

London Fire Commissioner, Ron Dobson said: "This was a complicated fire spreading rapidly through different premises and onto a bituemin covered roof, creating huge plumes of smoke across the city and presenting very difficult firefighting conditions for the crews attending. This incident yet again highlights the need for our fire safety work to prevent the fire risk and disruption these incidents have on our capital.”

The cause is not known, but yesterday a spokesman from London’s Metropolitan police said it was not suspicious “at this early stage”.