A WITNESS has described how a "raging inferno" ripped through buildings behind a 24-hour restaurant as the city centre was evacuated of hundreds of late-night revellers.

More than 20 firefighters battled to extinguish the blaze behind Shakeeys in Angel Street in the early hours of Saturday. One person has since been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

Shakeeys was packed with customers when fire crews and police were called to a warehouse, behind the restaurant at about 1am.

The flames spread into the cellar, causing extensive damage to gas and electricity services.

A member of staff working at nearby Lloyds Bar alerted manager Andy Phelps to the blaze.

"I looked out of the window and there was a raging inferno at the back of the Shakeeys building," said 38-year-old Mr Phelps.

"I ran through to Shakeeys to say there was a fire as it was full of customers who were totally unaware.

"We evacuated our pub and the police came and cordoned off all the roads."

He said CCTV footage captured a fireball blasting through one of the warehouse windows, feet away from the back of Lloyds, although the flames did not spread vto the bar itself.

"The flames were coming out of the top of the 30-foot high roof," he added.

Detective Sergeant Andy Price said: "Obviously there were a lot of people in and around that area at that time and in flats and it is possible that their lives were endangered."

He said that damage to gas and electricity equipment meant there was the every likelihood of an explosion.

"There were a lot of people around the area so the decision was taken to evacuate the centre, and anybody leaving pubs and clubs was escorted away from that area," he added. The gas and electricity boards were called to isolate supplies and fortunately nobody was injured.

Det Sgt Price said there was extensive damage to the cellar of the three-storey building.

Fifty-three-year-old Sheikh Latif (aka Shakeey), said: "We were going to convert the building into an extension of the restaurant. It will delay everything now for a long time - but this will go ahead."

Firefighters from Worcester and Droitwich tackled the flames until relief crews took over at 5am. They were still dampening down and making the building safe well into Saturday afternoon.

A 19-year-old youth has been arrested and remains in custody. Police have urged anyone with any information to contact them on 08457 444888 quoting log number 98-S-2007.