A blaze which swept through the ventilation system of a popular Dunedin restaurant at the weekend caused significant damage to the building... but its owner is hopeful it could reopen within about six weeks.

Emergency services were called to No7 Balmac restaurant in Balmacewen Road on Saturday afternoon where crews battled a well-involved fire.

It took crews from seven fire trucks three hours to get the blaze under control.

Large parts of the roof were removed to allow firefighters access.

No-one was injured in the fire, and owner Katrina Toovey says she hopes the restaurant in the fully insured building will be open in about six weeks.

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