Priceline and The ­Reject Shop in Dean Street were engulfed by fire at 2.55am, causing an estimated $2 million ­damage.

No one was injured in the blaze, which took 35 firefighters about two hours to bring under ­control.

A fire investigator from Sydney and crime scene officer from Albury ­police were still trying to ­determine the cause of the fire yesterday afternoon.

They were expected back on the scene this morning.

Albury Civic fire captain John Vandeven ­described the fire as being fierce, with contents in The ­Reject Shop in particular fuelling the flames.

“There were things like paint and turps, a real cocktail of everything in there that fed the fire pretty well,” he said.

“It did get very intense at times and looking at the structure that holds the roof up, the steel trusses there were twisted.

“So it would have been very, very hot at times.”

Firefighters were alerted to the blaze after the flames set off several fire alarms.

Wagga duty commander Insp Rob Jansen said when crews arrived

they could see a lot of smoke but no flames because the fire was in the roof.

“When the fire was found it was well advanced and difficult to ­access,” he said.

Two fire trucks fitted with long aerial ladders, including one from Wagga, were used to tackle the blaze.

Wodonga CFA also assisted and a crew from Corowa was on stand-by.

Insp Jansen said yesterday afternoon it was believed the fire started in the middle of the two buildings.

“Early indications point towards (it starting in) The Reject Shop because damage of the stock at the front of the store was more severe,” he said.

Insp Jansen said the fire destroyed 80 per cent of the buildings, with the remaining 20 per cent heavily damaged by smoke, heat and water.

The roof had ­collapsed and Insp Jansen said what was still left ­standing would need to be ­demolished.

Smoke damage was also caused to the neighbouring City Walk arcade and One Zach clothing store, which remained closed yesterday.

Dean Street, between Olive Street and QEII Square, was cordoned off to traffic until 11.35am.

Firefighters continued to wet down hot spots and mop up the area ­throughout the day.

Temporary fencing is expected to be erected around the scene this morning.

Mr Vandeven said what remained at the site was a mess.

“It’s just a lot of twisted steel — there’s nothing salvageable,” he said.

“There was a little bit at the front of The Reject Shop that wasn’t burnt but that would be waterlogged and smoke-­damaged.

“So it is totally ­destroyed.”