Big Al’s Pizza and Pasta on Hazelwood Rd in Traralgon engulfed by flames on Christmas Eve morning, damages nearby fish and chips shop

“They were good pizzas over there”: A pizza shop in Traralgon has gone up in flames early on Christmas Eve as authorities investigate the cause.

A large volume of smoke was seen coming out of the premises on Tuesday morning. Picture: Supplied

A pizza shop in the Latrobe Valley has gone up in flames on Christmas Eve, while also damaging a fish and chips shop next door.

Emergency services were called to Big Al’s Pizza and Pasta on Hazelwood Rd in Traralgon about 6.30am on Tuesday.

A police spokeswoman said the fire started inside the shop due to a possible electrical fault, with fire investigators at the scene.

An FRV spokeswoman said five FRV crews responded within five minutes.

“Upon arrival, firefighters found a pizza shop was well alight, with the fire at risk of spreading to the apartments above the shop,” the spokeswoman said.

“Crews conducted a search of the building and did not locate anyone.”

Police closed off Hazelwood Rd to traffic on Tuesday morning due to the shop fire. Picture: Jack Colantuono

She said crews worked together to attack the blaze, with the fire deemed under control at 7.50am.

“CFA crews assisted on scene,” the spokeswoman said.

“A community advice noticed was issued for smoke in the area.”

Prior to the incident, Big Al’s Pizza took to their Facebook page they would be closed from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day due to the festive period and would reopen Friday.

Big Al's Pizza and Pasta and Hazelbank Fish Shop & Chinese Takeaway were sealed off with police tape while authorities investigated the incident. Picture: Jack Colantuono

The blaze has also affected a unit behind the shop and the business next door — Hazelbank Fish Shop & Chinese Takeaway — and both properties were sealed off with police tape.

The Herald Sun was told the takeaway shop had already been closed until January due to the holidays.

Neighbour Ivor Lee, who has been living in Traralgon for 22 years, said he heard sirens and grinders cutting the shop’s the safety doors and saw about seven fire trucks arrive.

Traralgon man Ivor Lee, 72, lives across the road from Big Al's Pizza and Pasta where a fire engulfed the shop early on Christmas Eve. Picture: Jack Colantuono

“I could smell the smoke so I knew it was close, so I took a few photos,” the 72-year-old said.

“It’s a shame because they were good pizzas over there and the Chinese fish and chips shop next door — excellent food over there.

“They (both) won’t be open for a while.”

Firefighters remain on scene to assist. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Mr Lee said he wasn’t sure how long the businesses would be closed for.

“It’s hard to say — there would be a lot of damage there because there was a lot of smoke flames coming out of the roof — so there would be a lot of internal damage,” he said.

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Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact the Traralgon police station on [phone].