A business has been destroyed following a fire at Willow Tree in the Hunter Valley Local Area Command last night.

Just before 8pm (Saturday 9 May 2015), emergency services attended New England Highway after receiving information about a building well alight.

The antique store, which is no longer trading, was entirely engulfed in flames and as a precautionary measure neighbouring properties were evacuated.

As a result of the incident the highway was blocked for over four hours. No one was injured.

A crime scene has been established and an exclusion zone was implemented due to toxic smoke.

Investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding the incident; however, police are treating it as suspicious.