A suspicious early morning fire at a group of shops in the Adelaide CBD is under investigation.
Metropolitan Fire Service units attended the scene in Little Sturt Street, near Whitmore Square, about 5:00am.
Senior Constable Kylie Simpson of SA Police said emergency crews quickly controlled the outbreak.
"They found some damage to a gas pipe at the rear of the premises, so that's why we think the fire was started deliberately," she said.
The shops include a cafe and a trophy store.
Leo Corrieri, who owns the cafe Ladle of Love, told ABC Radio Adelaide he had not yet been allowed into his store because it was now a crime scene.
"It appears, at the back of the shop, that someone's set the bins on fire," he said.
"The bins are right next to the gas meter and the gas meter's gone up as well."
Streets in the area were closed for a time while investigators checked the scene of the blaze.
The MFS estimated the damage bill at $40,000.
Police urged anyone who saw suspicious behaviour in the area to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.
