THREE shops in Clifton's main street were destroyed by fire early yesterday morning but quick action by auxiliary firefighters from Allora and Clifton prevented an even greater disaster.

Clifton police officer-in-charge Sergeant Guy Smidt said the building in King St contained a real estate office, a shop used to sell furniture and knick-knacks and a private residence used by the owner of the building.

"The work of the firefighters saved nearby shops Blue Care and the Clifton Jam Factory," Sgt Smidt said.

The fire was reported by the local newsagent at 4.45am yesterday and the Clifton and Allora auxiliary units were first on the scene.

They were supported by urban units from Warwick and Toowoomba and the hazardous materials unit from Toowoomba.

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service area commander Paul Evans said the fire had the potential to destroy a number of shops in the main street.

"Due to the work of the firefighters with the first two pumps on site from Clifton and Allora, the fire was able to be contained to the three shops," he said.

The hazardous materials unit was called in as firefighters didn't know initially what materials were in the building but took all necessary precautions.

"There was asbestos in the building.

"We have been working with the Toowoomba Regional Council to make the area safe and secure."

He said the recommendation where asbestos was involved was to keep the area damp to reduce the fire risk.

At 1pm yesterday, rain was pouring at Clifton and the area commander said they couldn't have asked for better conditions in the aftermath.

Yesterday, a 30-tonne excavator and Toowoomba Regional Council backhoe were used to make the area safe.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Sgt Smidt said all fires were treated as suspicious until proved otherwise.

Yesterday, a fire service investigator, Scenes of Crime from Toowoomba and the police scientific unit from Ipswich were investigating.

Area commander Evans said the northern and central shops were the point of origin of the fire.

"The third shop (the residence) is not of interest," he said.

It is expected the site will be handed over to the insurance company today for a further clean-up.