A GWENT shop was completely gutted by fire, causing what its owner estimates is £100,000 worth of damage, during the early hours of today.

The fire started at the Spar shop in Aberconway Place, Oakdale, shortly after 3.20am. Fire crews from Cefn Fforest and Abercarn attended and did not leave until shortly after 5am.

Nobody was injured during the incident, which is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.

The vacant flat above the shop was also severely smoke-damaged.

The occupant of the flat next door, above the Prime Cuts butchers, had to flee when smoke started billowing into his bedroom through an open window.

The owner of the shop and flat above, Ramzan Ali, estimates more than £100,000 worth of damage was caused.

"The fire was unbelievable," said Mr Ali, who has owned the premises for the last five years and for the last two as a Spar.

"It was just like a nightmare. When someone from the fire service rang me to tell me I thought it was a joke. It was very hard to take in - especially when you have started something from scratch.

"Every fitting in there was brand new and it cost around £65,000 to do out. Even last night's takings were in there. The good thing was that the gas was turned off years ago when it became a Spar."

He added: "It is shocking to think what will happen at the moment because we have no income. I just hope the insurance company foot the bill to get the shop renovated."

A spokeswoman for South Wales Fire Service said the ground floor, which was used as a shop, was severely damaged.

The first floor of the two-storey building was used as storage for the stock.