A BLAZE which destroyed a building in Newport yesterday morning caused tens of thousands of pounds of damage, it has emerged.

Razaz Mohammed, who owns the building in Commercial Road, Pill, told the Argus that he was poised to sell the property at the end of this week. It had been on the market for £65,000.

Fire broke out in the early hours of yesterday morning and up 40 firefighters were called in to tackle the blaze which was reported by residents at 2am.

A spokesman for Newport Home Solutions, an estate agent based opposite the gutted building, said that a sale had been agreed only last week.

Mr Mohammed said that he was due to exchange contracts this week with a buyer but the fire had ruined his plans. He now faces responsibility for clearing the site.

Ieuan Walters, building control manager for Newport council, said the council would ensure the site was safe, but he added: "It's not our responsibility to clear the site of rubble and debris. That is up to the owner."

Much of the building collapsed as fire engulfed the property and yesterday morning Newport council brought in heavy machinery to demolish the gutted remains.

Pill resident Robert Beddows witnessed the dramatic scenes.

He said: "I live about 50 yards away and I was woken up by the noise. I thought it was a firecracker at first and then I saw the blue lights of the fire engine and then the huge yellow flames being reflected in the shop windows opposite the burning building."

South Wales Fire Service said although arson was possible they are unable to investigate the cause of the fire.

Assistant divisional officer Andrew Thomas said: "There's cause for concern that this fire was deliberate. But we were unable to enter the building for safety reasons and now it has been demolished all evidence has been destroyed.

"We will not be conducting a joint investigation with Police as we normally would have done."

Gwent Police are continuing investigations. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or Newport police on 01633 838111.