The Cairo headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood have reportedly been stormed and ransacked by protesters as fierce demonstrations in Egypt continue to rage.

They entered the six-storey building on Monday morning, leaving the heavily fortified villa with furniture and files.

Footage on local TV networks showed smashed windows and smoke billowing out of the building. One protester was seen removing the Muslim Brotherhood sign from the building’s front wall.

The storming of the Brotherhood’s headquarters followed overnight clashes between armed supporters of President Mohamed Morsi barricaded inside the building and young protesters pelting it with firebombs and rocks. Two people were killed by gunfire during the battle over the building.

Five other people have been killed and more than 600 wounded in clashes between supporters and opponents of the president.

Mass protests are taking place across Egypt calling for the Islamist president to resign.

The protests are being held exactly a year since Mr Morsi came to power.

Some 500,000 people descended on Cairo’s Tahrir Square, the heart of the 2011 uprising against Mr Morsi’s predecessor Hosni Mubarak.

Other demonstrations have been held outside the presidential palace several miles away, which was under heavy guard.

Police and troops have deployed to protect key buildings around the country, security officials said. The health ministry said hospitals have been placed on high alert.

On Friday an American student, 21-year-old Andrew Pochter, was killed during clashes in the city of Alexandria.

A senior security official said the Suez Canal, the vital waterway that connects the Mediterranean with the Red Sea, has been placed under “maximum security”.

Liberal leaders say nearly half the voting population – 22 million people – have signed a petition calling for change. Mr Morsi’s opponents have promised a “second revolution”.

But the president’s Muslim Brotherhood and militant allies pledge to defend what they say is the legitimate order.

Mr Morsi has called his opponents bad losers backed by “thugs” from the rule of deposed Mr Mubarak.

He is banking on the “Tamarud – Rebel!” coalition fizzling out, as other challenges in the streets have done since he took power.

US President Barack Obama has called on Egyptians to focus on dialogue. His ambassador to Egypt has angered the opposition by suggesting protests are not helping the economy.

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