People have been evacuated and nearby roads have been closed after a fire broke out in the city center of Newcastle, northeast England on Tuesday morning, local police confirmed.

Northumbria Police said on Tuesday that they received a call from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service requesting assistance with the fire at a poster and print shop called Kard Bar on Cross Street at around 9:00 in the morning.

Police said officers attended to help evacuate the immediate area and cordon off the scene. A number of minor roads were also closed to assist with the operation.

It said no major disruption occurred at this moment, but roads will be closed for several hours.

"It is not known whether anyone was in the premises at the time of the fire and that will form part of the ongoing operation," police said.

"We want to reassure the public that emergency services are on the scene and are working together to resolve this incident. Students living in the surrounding premises have been evacuated as a precaution and they have been provided alternative accommodation," said Bruce Storey, superintendent from Central Area Command.

Emergency services remain at the scene and will continue in the evening.