A number of outlets at Boucher Retail Park have been badly damaged Three stores have been severely damaged in a blaze which started at about 0400 GMT at Boucher Retail Park in Belfast.
Seventeen appliances and 85 firefighters struggled for several hours to bring the fire at Boucher Crescent under control.
The shops most severely affected are Poundstretcher, Birthdays and JD Sports, while several other were affected by smoke and water.
It is not yet known if the fire was started deliberately.
Assistant Chief Officer Owen Doyle said: “We have three of the units at Boucher Crescent severely damaged by the fire and a further nine shop units that have been affected by smoke and water damage.
“At this point, we have the fire surrounded and we are attempting to prevent it from spreading along the roof.
The fire appears to have started at Poundstretchers “The fire appears to have started at Poundstretcher and as yet we are unable to establish how that fire started.
“It has also spread to the adjacent properties on either side.”
There are 20 to 30 full-time and seasonal staff who work in Poundstretchers.
BBC reporter Conor McCauley said it was understood attempts would be made to re-locate them at the chain’s other premises.
As well as the three stores badly damaged in the fire, nine others have been badly affected.
The cause of the blaze is being investigated but it could be several days before it is known how it started.
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