Newport fire: Dozens of apartment residents evacuated after gas fire breaks out in shopping strip

Dozens of people were evacuated from two Sydney apartment blocks after a fire broke out at a shopping strip in the northern beaches. 

More than 30 firefighters were called to the shops in Newport about midday on Tuesday, Fire and Rescue NSW said in a statement.

Locals watched from the street as smoke billowed out from the roof of the arcade in the upmarket suburb.

Dozens of people have been evacuated from two apartment blocks after a fire broke out in a shopping strip in the northern beaches. Two people located inside were also evacuated (pictured)

See also  Bosses let workers leave early and schools tell parents to pick children up by 2pm

They discovered flames inside a roof cavity above six shops on Barrenjoey Road.

Two people inside at the time of the incident were evacuated. 

About 30 residents from two nearby unit blocks and two people inside the shops were evacuated.

Firefighters were also forced to flee the scene after part of the roof collapsed revealing a ruptured gas line.

More than 30 firefighters rushed to quell the fire, having to flee the scene when part of the roof collapsed revealing a ruptured gas line (pictured, firefighters at the scene)

A spokesman said the fire had since been brought under control and the evacuated residents had been allowed to return to their homes.

Fire and Rescue NSW is investigating the cause of the blaze.