The fire was reported at about 2am. Photo: Franz Lieber
Three shops are gutted and a person is in hospital after an early morning fire in the south Canterbury town of Fairlie.
Four fire trucks responded to the blaze on the town's main street, which was reported at about 2am on Monday.
Later in the morning at about 5am, a Fire and Emergency support vehicle rolled while trying to transport gear to the scene, and one person became trapped and had to be rescued by emergency services.
The blaze on Fairlie's main street gutted three shops. Photo: Franz Lieber
A spokesperson said the staff member was taken to hospital.
Fire and Emergency said the blaze severely damaged three shops inside one building, and investigators were trying to determine the cause.
Fairlie Bakehouse owner Franz Lieber said the fire started at a fish and chip shop near him, and he witnessed the ordeal when he arrived at work at about 2.30am.
"I'm not sure if it started at the back of the fish and chip shop or at the front, but there were just big flames coming up from everywhere. It was severe," he said.