A block of shops on Christchurch's Colombo Street has been badly damaged by fire

Fire crews were called to the block of shops in Sydenham about 9.30pm, after motorists reported the blaze in the takeaway outlet of a shopping building.

Witnesses reported seeing smoke and flames visible from the roof.

Colombo Street was briefly closed while firefighters worked to quickly bring the fire under control.

Firefighters left the scene about 12.45pm, and the blaze is not being treated as suspicious.