Fire breaks out at shops on Sydney's Northern Beaches

Locals have been evacuated as fire crews tackled a fire and gas leak at a shopping arcade on Sydney's Northern Beaches.

More than 30 firefighters and eight trucks rushed to Newport, north of Manly, this afternoon, with reports of a fire in the roof of the Newport Village Arcade.

The flames first became visible around midday in the Wild Lotus florist, soon spreading through the roof and into Berempah Malaysian restaurant.

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Locals posted footage of smoke coming from the buildings on Barrenjoey Road in the upmarket suburb.

The blaze was found in the roof cavity, and part of the roof collapsed.

The fire became too dangerous to fight, with crews retreating, when gas began leaking in temperatures up to 800C.

It was finally brought under control after three hours.

Superintendent Adam Dewberry from Fire and Rescue NSW, said it was a, "very complex and difficult fire to extinguish."

Around 30 residents from two nearby unit blocks were evacuated, Fire and Rescue NSW said.

Gas and electricity was also cut off and locals are being told to stay away.

Six family-owned shops are either damaged or destroyed, but most were closed at the time.

Investigations are underway into what happened.