A RESTAURANT has been gutted by a fire that begun on its second floor and required 40 firefighters to bring under control.

The fire is believed to have broken out in the office of the Indian Spice restaurant just after 1pm on Thursday.

A restaurant employee who narrowly escaped the smoke said the fire may have been the result of an electrical fault from a computer in the officer.

The flames quickly spread with thick black smoke billowing from the top level of the Mosley Square building.

Smoke covers Moseley Square media_camera Fire at Indian Spice restaurant in Moseley Square, Glenelg. Picture: Amanda Wilson / Twitter 1 of 15 media_camera Firefighters outside the Glenelg restaurant, where a fire broke out on the second floor. Picture: Tricia Watkinson 2 of 15 media_camera Firefighters outside the Glenelg restaurant, where a fire broke out on the second floor. Picture: Tricia Watkinson 3 of 15 media_camera Indian Spice chef Harpreet Grewal, right, and Brad Wilkinson, owner of neighbouring Mint 2, comfort each other after the fire. Picture: Tricia Watkinson 4 of 15 nav_small_close Want to see more?( 11 more photos in collection )Continue to full gallery nav_small_left nav_small_right

Fire fighters were quick to respond to the call for help with units arriving within minutes. They were initially hampered by delays finding a water supply for their hoses but managed to beat the fire back once they had located a suitable hydrant.

There were no customers in the restaurant at the time of the fire and employees, including the chef, escaped without injury.

Despite the size of the blaze, 40 firefighters from nine firetrucks and four support vehicles brought the fire under control in 15 minutes.

The building was extensively damaged with smoke seeping into a neighbouring business.