Several shops damaged in Hawthorn East blaze

Several shops have been damaged by fire in Hawthorn East this morning, with firefighters forced to cut their way inside the building.

Pentatis fruit and vegetable shop on fire on Tooronga road in Hawthorn East. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Several shops have been damaged by a blaze in Melbourne’s east this morning, with firefighters forced to cut their way inside the building.

Crews arrived at the Tooronga Rd scene in Hawthorn East shortly before 6.30am to find flames and thick smoke billowing from the two-storey shop development.

They had to cut their way through a roller door to access the blaze and took an hour to bring it under control.

GREENS RAPPER SLAMMED AS ‘TOPLESS CHICKS’ VIDEO EMERGES

THE BIZARRE RANTS OF A MASS MURDERER

ALBERTI DONATES $1M IN PUSH TO GET WOMEN MORE ACTIVE

Pentatis fruit and vegetable shop on fire on Tooronga road in Hawthorn East. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The blaze has closed part of Tooronga Rd. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The shopping development housed a cafe, and shops including a fruit store.

No one was inside at the time and fire crews managed to project neighbouring buildings.

There is no threat to the surrounding community but an advice message has been issued for Hawthorn and Hawthorn East.

The fire has also shut down Tooronga Rd between Riversdale Rd and Pleasant Rd. Drivers should take Auburn Rd or Burke Rd instead.