Conservation workers are trying to save a precious wall mural dating from the 1700s which was damaged when a Grade II-listed building went up in flames in Soho.

The rare work of art is just one of two such pieces in London, and is thought to be worth up to half a million pounds.

It was hanging inside the historic building next to the Red Fort restaurant in Dean Street, which caught fire on Friday.

Hundreds of people were forced to flee buildings as more than sixty firefighters spent seven hours putting out the dramatic blaze.

As fire investigators try to establish the cause of the blaze, Westminster Council is overseeing an operation to salvage the work of art.

With the help of English Heritage, a team of conservation workers are sifting through the remains of the four-storey building as part of the delicate salvage operation.

It is hoped that at least part of the mural, which depicts a 1730s classical sea scene, can be saved.

The expansive scene, by an unknown artist, is framed by two Corinthian columns spaced out to depict views of classical ruins and seascapes, complete with crumbling arches, bronze statues, a giant battleship and a striking sun and cloud sky scene.

It is thought that the mural was commissioned by former occupant of the building John Hamilton, a naval officer who captained the Deal Castle in 1741 and the Kinsale in 1742.

Rosemarie MacQueen, strategic director for built environment at Westminster Council, said: “All the floors collapsed into the basement and as well as the fire damage a large amount of water was pumped into the building. “But despite this we are hopeful that an original wall painting of a ship can be restored, and we have managed to rescue some fine wood panelling and parts of the main entrance hall and staircase.

“We are doing are utmost to ensure the facade of this beautiful building, and as many of its interior features as possible, are preserved. As a result the salvage operation will take longer than usual and regrettably access in the street will be limited while this is ongoing.

“In addition, by rescuing sections of cornicing and other original artefacts which have been damaged but not totally destroyed, we hope the building will eventually be able to be returned as closely to its original condition as possible.”

The house itself has a long and illustrious history. Built by Thomas Richmond in 1735, the first occupant was the 7th Earl of Abercorn, a famous scientist and member of the Royal Society. In the early 19th century it housed

Rundell Bridge & Rundell, one of the world's most famous silversmith firms, before being rented by the church as an orphanage for poor children removed from the workhouses in nearby St Giles's and Bloomsbury.

It was also the former base of British movie company Future Films, which produced Bend It Like Beckham.

Investigators are examining whether the fire started after a recently installed air conditioning unit exploded.

London Fire Brigade said the investigation could take a month because of the painstaking recovery work.

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