The Glen Innes Fire and rescue service was called to the emergency at 1.45 this afternoon after staff at the pharmacy noticed the smell of smoke and saw fire coming from their rear deck.

Glen Innes Fire station commander Matt Goldman said when they arrived on the scene the fire had been put out by the staff at the neighbouring shop using their fire extinguisher.

“It was good work from the staff of the telephone shop and the pharmacy because when we arrived the fire had been completely extinguished,” he said.

“We have isolated the power here at both premises and we are clearing the shop of smoke.

“Some staff have experienced irritated airwaves and they have been seen to by the ambulance but none have needed to be taken to hospital.” 

Commander Goldman congratulated the staff of the Amcal Pharmacy and the One Zero shop for having a working extinguisher and knowing how to use it.

“Their quick thinking is to be applauded and I am glad that they have their fire extinguishers and they knew what to do,” he said.

Amcal pharmacy senior staff member Belinda Grob said the fire was started by someone throwing a cigarette butt under their building.

“We all thought that it was the air conditioning unit that caught fire, but upon further investigation by our fire service it appears someone has carelessly flicked a cigarette butt under our building and caused a fire,” she said.

“All our staff are in good health and we will be back at work tomorrow.”