Several Wollongong businesses had to be evacuated and a section of Market Street closed for two hours Saturday night after the Raw Energy cafe caught on fire.
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Emergency services were called at 8:08pm to the shop on Corrimal Street, part of the same complex as the popular Dagwood Bar and the Adina apartments.
Lake Illawarra Acting Inspector Lee Ingmire said the cause of the fire was currently being investigated by police with a crime scene established.
Acting Inspector Ingmire said firefighters had to force entry to the premises while several nearby cafes and restaurants were closed for several hours due to the smoke.
Market Street was closed between Corrimal and Kembla Streets between 8:30pm and 10:30pm while Fire and Rescue NSW crews fought the blaze.
On the business' Facebook page they thanked the "brave and amazing" fire fighters for their "incredible work", however the store would be closed until further notice.