Central Hunter Duty Officer Inspector Glenn Blaine said the incident would be considered suspicious until the cause of the blaze was known.

‘‘Fire investigators have to go through it, detectives have to make further inquires,’’ he said.

‘‘We need to do sample testing from the fire for traces of accelerant. Those results can take weeks to come back.’’

The fire broke out at 6.50pm last night.

More than 15 fire trucks and 80 firefighters took two hours to contain the blaze.

Eighty per cent of the historic building was damaged.

No one was injured.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact Maitland Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

- Picture below submitted by Belinda Metcalfe

For more pictures, click on the image below. Do you have photos? Send them to us.

Historic Sylvester Bros bakery burnt

By SAM RIGNEY and JANEK SPEIGHT

CENTRAL Hunter detectives and NSW fire brigade investigators are looking into the origins of a blaze that severely damaged one of Cessnock’s oldest buildings last night.

Sylvester Brothers bakery, which has been in business since 1919, was engulfed in flames about 6.50pm.

Emergency services throughout the Hunter responded to calls for additional assistance after a nearby resident spotted smoke billowing from the main section at the back of the bakery.

More than 15 fire trucks and 80 firefighters attended the scene in an effort to contain the blaze, which had enveloped 80 per cent of the single-level building. The shop facade was relatively untouched.

Police cordoned off an exclusion zone of 400 metres on Wollombi Road between Darwin and Miller streets and more than 150 people were evacuated from surrounding homes and businesses.

Firefighters had to wait for gas company, Jemena Gas Network, to shut-off the gas supply before they could completely extinguish the fire.

No one was inside the building and no injuries reported.

Central Hunter command inspector Tim Seymour said the evacuation was a precaution after a small gas leak, caused by the fire, was detected in the rear of the bakery.

‘‘An examination has been undertaken by an officer from Jemena Gas and the area has been isolated,’’ he said.

Inspector Seymour said police would not know what caused the blaze until later today.

The family who own and run the business are said to live next door.