Four fire engines and two tankers were called to an electrical fire at a premises on the main street of Gore this afternoon.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) shift manager Andrew Norris said they received a call at 4pm after members of the public smelled smoke.
"An off-duty fireman at the scene was there and confirmed he could also smell smoke," Mr Norris said.
Appliances from Gore were called to The Merino Story building where the source of the smell could not be located, however heat could be felt, he said.
Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus forced entry into the premises, confirmed there was heat inside the building and called for back up from Riversdale and Mataura, Mr Norris said.
Firefighters located a small electrical fire under the floor near the veranda and extinguished it, he said.
