Update:
POLICE are investigating a series of suspicious fires in the Newcastle CBD after flames spread to a nearby pharmacy.
Officers were patrolling Hunter Street when they noticed a fire outside Chemist Warehouse about 2am this morning.
Police said the blaze "had been lit inside a large bin" and Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews extinguished the flames.
No one was reported injured in the fire, but the pharmacy suffered broken windows and smoke damage.
Chemist Warehouse Newcastle told its customers via text message and through a sign on its doors that it was "temporarily closed due to a fire on the premises".
Firefighters were also called to three other fires nearby early on Wednesday morning, and investigators believe they are linked.
All the fires are being treated as suspicious.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the lighting of the blazes are continuing, and police have urged anyone with information or footage from the area to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
FRNSW crews extinguished the four fires, ventilated the Chemist Warehouse building and reset its automatic fire alarm, and the operation wrapped up about 4.30am.
Earlier:
BIN FIRES broke out in the Newcastle CBD overnight and a Hunter Street business was forced to close today after the flames spread.
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews had at least four trucks out responding to reports of small blazes in the Hunter Street area between about 1am and 2.10am on Wednesday.
It's understood Chemist Warehouse Newcastle's automatic smoke alarm was triggered just after 2am.
A FRNSW spokesperson said flames extended into the pharmacy and caused some damage, after initial reports that some bins on the outside of the building were alight.
Crews gained access to the business and extinguished the fire before ventilating the building and resetting the automatic alarm.
The FRNSW spokesperson said firefighters managed to get the flames at the locations under control quickly and the operation was wrapped up by 4.30am.
It's understood police were patrolling the area as well.
Chemist Warehouse Newcastle sent out a text message to customers on Wednesday morning saying the store was "temporarily closed due to a fire on the premises".
Other Chemist Warehouse stores in the Newcastle area remain open.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused," the text said.
