BY IAN CROUCH

More than 30 Firefighters from five stations have taken two hours to control a fire which ripped through a commercial premises at Maitland early Thursday morning.

Newcastle Fire Command says crews from East Maitland and Mayfield West initially responded to multiple Triple Zero calls just before 4.30am where a single level commercial complex in High Street was well alight. They were joined a short time later by firefighters from Rutherford, Morpeth and Tarro along with the Hazmat Unit.

The fire caused extensive damage to the Mitchell’s Physiotherapy business in the complex, while 4 cars were also damaged by fire.

Crews managed to stop the fire spreading to the adjacent Jaycar business.

High Street, Abbot Street and one lane of the New England Highway was closed while firefighting operations continued.

An investigation is under way into how the fire started.

Firefighters had to cut through a roll-a-door to reach the fire. Picture: Fire & Rescue NSW