London Sony warehouse engulfed in flames

A Sony warehouse in north London has partially collapsed after being engulfed in flames, as riots rage across the British capital for a third night.

A YouTube video purports to show the Enfield fire.

About 40 firefighters were tackling the large blaze, which erupted in Enfield just before midnight on Monday (0900 AEST Tuesday), the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.

The building, believed to be a Sony CD distribution centre, had partially collapsed, an LFB spokesman said early Tuesday.

Eyewitnesses described how they saw a gang of about 20 looters leaving the warehouse with electrical goods before the fire took hold.

A LFB spokesman said: "We were called just before midnight to a warehouse in Solar Way, Enfield.

"Eight fire engines are in attendance and around 40 firefighters have been fighting the fire.

"They are making steady progress and will remain on the scene into the morning.

"There was quite a lot of black smoke and the building has partially collapsed into itself."

Around 200 people staying at a hotel next door to the distribution centre were evacuated as the blaze took hold.