The fire is believed to have started at about 5.30am on Market Street, quickly spreading from Repco and engulfing TLE Electrical and Data Suppliers and Platinum Dance Centre.

Firefighters worked tirelessly to control the blaze, while a section of Market Street and Market Lane were blocked off.

TLE manager Kevin Warby watched on as smoke continued to billow from the building at 9.30am.

He said his business was determined to quickly get back on its feet.

“We’ve been in that building for about 35 years, since the early 1980s,” he said.

“It was a really old building that dated back to war time.

“Some of the old timber in there was beautiful hardwood and will smoulder for a long time.

“We’re now going to have a temporary premises to maintain our business activities in town and support our customers.

“Absolutely no-one will be out of a job from this.”

It is not yet known what caused the blaze.