A fire has destroyed two shops in Sydney's west and forced the evacuation of upstairs apartments, with seven residents taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation.
About 60 firefighters in 12 trucks responded to the blaze on Amy Street at Regents Park shortly after 1am (AEDT) on Sunday.
Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Paul Johnstone said the two shops were well alight with "multiple explosions" occurring when crews arrived.
The blaze threatened to spread to neighbouring shops and upstairs apartments in the three-storey complex, he told AAP.
Firefighters searched and evacuated the unit block and seven residents were taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation.
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Supt Johnstone said search and rescue teams were concerned at one stage for four residents reported missing but they were eventually found to be safe.
Crews managed to extinguish the blaze and stop it spreading but the two shops were totally destroyed.
The blaze is being treated as suspicious with police and fire officers investigating the cause.
