FORENSIC police are combing the scene of a suspicious fire that has ripped through an old business.
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The old Woolworths store in Narrabri went up in flames late on Sunday and police believe it was deliberately lit.
Smoke started billowing from the Maitland Street building shortly after 5pm.
Fire and Rescue NSW from Narrabri were deployed to the emergency and found a series of fires inside.
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"It is a two-level building and there were three separate fires on the second level," Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Tom Cooper told ACM.
"There was major smoke issuing from the second level and firefighters in breathing apparatus mounted an offensive attack."
Crews called for backup from the Boggabri brigade as well as the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and Hazmat crews.
"The top floor was well alight," Superintendent Cooper said.
He said crews then extinguished the fires and ventilated the building before handing it over to police about 8.30pm.
Oxley police confirmed a crime scene was setup at the old store.
"The fire is being treated as suspicious and forensic police are examining the scene," Oxley Detective Acting Inspector Jason Darcy said.
"We are appealing for anyone that might have seen anyone in or around the Maitland Street building on Sunday afternoon to contact investigators.
"We believe it was deliberately lit and we're seeking any information from the public to establish what happened."
Anyone with information, or who saw any suspicious activity in the Tibberenna and Lloyd streets area around the time of the incident, is urged to contact Oxley police on 6792 7199.
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