Operations officer Ian Day said the fire’s point of origin and cause were under investigation. 

He said police forensic crews were coming from Melbourne to investigate the scene. 

Mr Day said the fire was being treated as suspicious at this stage.

He said Bohemian Emporium and Rupanyup Pharmacy Depot on Cromie Street both sustained extensive smoke and heat damage. 

Mr Day said a rear common area behind the shops was severely burnt.

He said firefighters created a protective line to prevent the fire spreading to adjoining shops including the Bendigo Bank.

He said the other businesses were mostly unaffected.

“There was no damage to the bank,” he said.

“There was a bit of smoke ingression which activated their alarm but no real damage.”

Crews were called to the scene about 12.35pm and remained on scene until 5pm blacking out sections and mopping up what they could. 

SUNDAY

2PM: 

CREWS battling a fire at Bohemian Emporium and Rupanyup Pharmacy Depot on Cromie Street have brought the blaze under control.

Resident Dale Maggs said he saw smoke pouring from the roof of the building just before 12.30pm on Sunday afternoon.

“It looked like it stated in the emporium before creeping across to the pharmacy,” he said.

“At one point you could see flames about five metres above the roof.” 

Nine Country Fire Authority appliances spent more than half an hour bringing the fire under control.

Crews had to use a cherry picker to access the roof cavity of the building.

EARLIER:

CREWS are battling a fire at the Bohemian Emporium and Rupanyup Pharmacy Depot on Cromie Street. 

The fire started about 12.30pm and has since spread to the roof cavity of the pharmacy, with three more shops in danger, including the Bendigo Bank and the grocery store. 

Seven Country Fire authority appliances are at the scene.