Bong Bong St Bowral fire threatens to destroy businesses

People lined the streets to watch fire crews battle a huge fire burning in a number of shops along a popular Bowral shopping strip.

A fire has threatened to destroy a number of businesses along Bong Bong St in Bowral was alight as Fire and Rescue NSW were called to the popular shopping strip on Thursday night.

Police at the scene confirmed the fire started at Dos Hombres Mexican restaurant on Bowral‘s main street, close to the corner with Wingecarribee Street.

Witnesses say the ANZ bank and the buildings along Wingecarribee Street have been badly damaged, including Billy Chan the Dumpling Man and the hair salon. There has been no confirmation about the used book store next door to the Mexican restaurant.

Emergency services were called to the scene before 9pm, with three crews attending to the blaze.

A fire has engulfed a number of businesses along Bowral's Bong Bong Street. Picture: NSW Fire and Rescue

A fire has engulfed a number of businesses along Bowral's Bong Bong Street. Picture: NSW Fire and Rescue

A spokesman for NSW Fire and Rescue said fire crews arrived to find the building in flames.

“It was quite a significant fire threatening the neighbouring shops, so that was our immediate concern,” he said.

He said firefighters are concerned about the spread. Footage shows fire crews hosing down the roofs of neighbouring shops in order to contain the fire.

Witnesses claim the fire has spread throughout the densely populated building through the roofing to badly damage nearby business.

The spokesman said it would be a long night for firefighters.

“I think it’ll go for a couple more hours,” he said.

Hordes of locals and anxious business owners lined the streets of Bowral to watch the towering flames and were held back by police.

Bong Bong Street was cordoned off between Merrigang St and Wingecarribee St as five firefighting crews and numerous police swarmed the scene. The blaze could be seen from both intersecting streets, even two hours after the initial call.

An investigation into the cause of the fire won’t be able to begin until the inferno is extinguished.