Sony facility burns in London riots

A Sony optical storage media manufacturing plant has been set alight in London's riots, according to multiple reports.

The Guardian newspaper reported in an audio interview that the "charred remains" of the 70 metre-long distribution centre had "crumpled in on itself" after the fire.

The fire was under control, the report said. A Sony spokesman told Reuters that there had been no injuries.

A number of still images of the blaze, captured by BBC Television, were tweeted. Video of the fire was also uploaded to Youtube.

A Sony corporate website listed the address as being a facility of its digital audio disc corporation (DADC) unit, which made CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs.

Unconfirmed reports on the BBC said that the building had been looted before it was set alight; however, reporters for The Guardian were unsure if looting had occurred.

The fire was one of a number burning around London from civil unrest sparked by the shooting death of a man by police several days ago.

Looters had previously targeted electronics retailers across the city as police struggled to maintain order.