Biggest fire in downtown Newmarket for years

An army of fire fighters this evening fought what would have to be Newmarket's largest fire in recent memory, claims the local business community.

The fire broke out in a building that houses the adult store The Den at 440 Khyber Pass Road. It attracted hundreds of onlookers and dozens of firefighters, at least 14 fire trucks and a police helicopter, after the emergency services were alerted around 5pm.

"This building houses an adult store, a restaurant and a beauty therapy business. By all accounts everyone got out of the building safely and the firefighters got on top of it quickly. Initially we were also worried about two important neighbouring buildings - the major commercial building Axon House and one of our few Victoria buildings that houses The Mustang Saloon," says Cameron Brewer, head of the Newmarket Business Association.

"Traffic was busy enough on the eve of Easter with out all this drama, but thankfully the damage has been minimised.

"The black smoke could apparently be seen for miles. It was pouring out of Khyber Pass and billowing across Lumsden Green and Broadway - quite a wake up call for everyone,” says Mr Brewer.

ENDS

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