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Firefighters are dampening down the hot spots of a fire in Rangiora which at one point sent exploding pieces of asbestos roof across the streets.
Rangiora chief fire officer Ross Ditmer said the fire - in a building shared by four businesses - was being treated as suspicious.
"It was a challenging fire." He said at the peak of the fire the asbestos roof began to explode. "It was showering the firefighters at one stage," he said.
Firefighters got the call shortly before 5am this morning and seven trucks were used from around the region, including one engine from Christchurch.
"The building is a converted garage and has been converted into retail. Two of the businesses have been extensively damaged and two have smoke damage," Mr Ditmer said.
He said no other buildings were threatened, although the fire was near the main shopping area of Rangiora.
Environment Canterbury has been notified of the asbestos and would be dealing with the clean-up, Mr Ditmer said.
