Fire and and Rescue NSW crews and other emergency services were called to Kinghorne Street in the Nowra CBD at 1.30am on Thursday, January 28 after reports of a fire.

Initial fire crews who arrived at the scene were met with dense smoke coming from the building, which is home to four businesses, Lyrebird Dry Cleaners, Crack Fix mobile phone repairers, the Iron Anvil-Tattoo Shop and Nowra Kebabs,

FRNSW Shoalhaven Station Commander Sean Doohan said when crews arrived they had to undertake investigation into the actual source of the fire.

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"There were no flames visible when our first crews arrived," he said.

"We just had very heavy, dense smoke."

Fire crews made entry into two separate premises and found the fire was in the dry cleaners.

He said firefighters followed procedures to ensure the entry was made safely.

"It is difficult not knowing what is behind doors we have to open," he said.

"We have procedures to make sure it is done as safe as possible but there is still a risk.

"When we made entry into dry cleaners' glass front heavy smoke came out and soon after a large fireball."

Crews were able to contain the fire to the dry cleaners, which was totally destroyed.

"We were also able to reduce the likelihood of the fire extending to any of the other shops in the strip of businesses," Commander Doohan said.

The blaze sparked a massive response with Fire and Rescue NSW Crews from Nowra, Shoalhaven and Berry and further afield from Kiama, Albion Park, the Hazmat unit from Shellharbour attending the scene, along with an aerial appliance from Wollongong.

That ladder platform appliance known as a Bronto was used to ensure no fire had escaped into the roof system.

"That aerial platform assisted with doing a roof check to make sure the fire had not spread into the roof system," Commander Doohan said.

Two residents who live above the businesses had previously managed to escape safely.

The fire was bought under control around 2.30am.

"Unfortunately the dry cleaners was completely destroyed. Neighbouring properties also suffered heavy smoke damage," he said.

"We are yet to ascertain the cause of the fire but that will be investigated."

NSWFR fire investigators including the canine detection unit are expected at the scene and will be working with NSW Police to try and discover the cause of the fire.

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