NSW shopping complex ablaze

Fire is tearing through a shopping complex in NSW's Illawarra region and threatening a nearby furniture store.

Emergency services were called to a shopping complex at Warrawong, near Wollongong, just before 2pm on Sunday.

Around 40 firefighter are battling the blaze which has torn through the roof of the complex, a spokesman from Fire and Rescue NSW said.

At least 18 people have been evacuated from Fantastic Furniture, a neighbouring furniture and bedding store.