FIREFIGHTERS have put out a kitchen blaze that poured smoke over Newcastle's central business district late on Thursday morning and forced several restaurant patrons to evacuate.
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Authorities were headed to waterfront bar and restaurant Six Degrees about 11.30am, with sirens audible throughout Newcastle West and the city.
Witness footage shows smoke billowing from the waterfront building as crews got to work.
Fire and Rescue NSW told the Newcastle Herald the fire was believed to have started in a flue at the restaurant in the popular dining precinct.
Firefighters found that the fire was contained to the flue, but smoke was venting out of the second level of the building - which made it look like the premises was totally on fire.
The fire has been extinguished and firefighters were checking the premises just before midday.
Ten people were safely evacuated and no-one was injured.
Firefighters rushed to the scene just before 11.30am - with seven engines gathering at Queens Wharf - after 15 Triple Zero calls were made about the fire.
The area has been cordoned off and buses appear to be replacing the Stockton ferry service.
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