Blaze destroys six shops in Sydney’s west

Six shops have been damaged by a blaze in Sydney’s west overnight.

Emergency crews were called out to fight the fire that tore through six Whalan businesses in Penrith around 10.30pm last night.

However firefighters struggled to gain entry to the shops which were heavily secured with roller doors and metal bars blocking the entrance.

9NEWs understands  the fire appeared to start near a tobacco shop but spread quickly into the roof’s insulation.

A young local boy was the first to see the fire and raise the alarm, running to the local police station.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire.