The clock tower of the historic building collapsed in a shower of sparks while outside excited club members told stories about how the fire had started.

"It was about 6.30pm. I ordered another beer and the lights went off. Staff members were walking around with little fire extinguishers trying to douse the flames," said Leon Epstein who has been a club member for the past 35 years.

"It's so sad. All the memorabilia and history of this place is all gone."

Strewn on the grass outside were some photo frames and medals that staff and club members had managed to salvage.

Wanderers committee member Thabang Skwambane said the fire, which started in the kitchen, seemed to be gas related. He said the flames got into the air vents, which was why it had gone out of control.

No one took the fire seriously at first, said Herbert Nkosi, head waiter at the Varamdas restaurant in the clubhouse.

"The fire brigade came out after staff members saw smoke in the kitchen. They left because it appeared to be nothing serious, but after 10 minutes they were back again."

"By then we saw fire everywhere. It had caught the whole building," he told Sapa.

Flames leaping to the air could be seen from the nearby Wanderers Stadium where a one-day international cricket match continued to be played between South Africa A and New Zealand A.

The entire left side of the building was gutted, and fire-fighters used ladders to pour water on the remains of the thatched roof.

Three fire engines and one ladder unit were on the scene, and more fire fighters were on the way, said emergency services spokesman Gavin Wilson.

No lives were in danger and Wilson knew of no injuries.

The Wanderers club was established in 1888 and moved to Illovo in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg in the 1930s.

"I can't believe it. It's very sad. It was a nice place," said Nkosi.

"We have lost our jobs already. We don't know what to do. My bosses are very worried too. It's a very sad day for us."

Sapa