PART of a busy city centre street was cordoned off at the weekend after smoke was seen billowing from a shop storeroom.

Firefighters from Malpas and Maindee divisions were called to the River Island store in High Street just after 11am on Saturday, following reports of smoke in the storeroom.

Police cordoned off the area around the store and staff were evacuated while firefighters using specialist breathing apparatus investigated.

It is understood a smouldering cigarette trapped at the foot of an external wooden pillar caused the smoke to rise and fill the storeroom.

No one was hurt in the incident.