Shadow Human Affairs Minister Ms Renee Webb arrived at her Buy Smart shop at 53 Union Street at about 7.45 p.m., nearly an hour after a fire in the building was detected by neighbours. Nobody was injured.

"It's terrible,'' the rookie Progressive Labour Party MP told The Royal Gazette . "It's an awful feeling. I don't think the shock will hit me until I go inside.'' The building also houses Richie's Tyre Service on the bottom floor. There was apparently nobody inside.

Ms Webb, who has owned the general merchandise and gift store Buy Smart since October of 1992, said firefighters told her there was extensive smoke damage but the cause was undetermined. Asked if the building was insured, she said she hoped it was.

Ms Webb learned of the fire from her mother, Mrs. Hester Webb, who lives nearby and arrived on the scene early. So did Youth and Sport Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon, another neighbour and rookie MP.

Ms Webb said her sister, Mrs. Dolores Price, normally locked up at night.

"We left together at about 6.15, and everything was intact.'' Neighbours first reported smoke coming from the upper rear of the building, shortly before 7 p.m.

Three Bermuda Fire Service fire trucks and a water truck were on the scene, along with a large number of firefighters. Police helped to keep back a large crowd of curious spectators drawn by the pungent smoke. No flames were visible.

The Liberty Theatre, which is next door, had to cancel its 7.30 p.m. showing of Above the Rim.

Mr. Raymond Santucci, the night manager, said he and other employees smelled smoke when they were sitting downstairs waiting for the 5.30 p.m. show to end.

"I came upstairs to take a peek,'' he said. "I went to the security guard and said: `Something is burning up there'.'' From upstairs, they could see smoke coming from inside the building at the rear, he said.

Staff from the theatre called the Fire Department, said employee Mrs. Shirlene Simmons. "It started from the back of the roof,'' she said.

Firefighters were still investigating the cause of the blaze last night.