Fire halts traffic on King Street, Newtown

Peak-hour traffic has been brought to a standstill on a busy street in Sydney's inner west this afternoon after a fire broke out in a kitchen on King Street in Newtown.

Emergency crews closed the street in both directions shortly before 3.20pm.

NSW Fire and Rescue reports that the fire is being brought under control and surrounding buildings checked to see that the fire has not spread.

The Transport Management Centre says one lane has been reopened but motorists "should continue to allow plenty of extra travel time because traffic is heavy".

Traffic is backed up for at least two kilometres in both directions and buses travelling through the area are delayed by up to 20 minutes, says Traffic NSW.

The fire broke out in the Dumpling King Chinese restaurant's kitchen.

Local resident Glenn First told ninemsn he had seen smoke pouring from the building.

"I could smell it at first but then I looked out and it was hazy," Mr First said. "When I came out on the street I could see where it was coming from."

Mr First said he saw police talking with an owner or staff member from the restaurant.

"She was flapping a big towel or something. I think she had been trying to put it out. Didn't work though. Obviously."