Owner's shock as fire hits his shop

Fire tore through the roof of a long-running ironmonger's shop in Kidderminster town centre today following a suspected arson attack.

John Beard and his sons Alan, aged 44, and Melvyn, aged 42, who run John Beard Tools and Ironmongers in Bridge Street were today counting the cost of the blaze.

Arsonists are believed to have set fire to waste bins which then spread to roof space. Mr Beard said: "When the alarm was activated in the shop it was about 4.15am and I went down to Bridge Street to see what had happened. There were about four fire engines and the crews were carrying out damping-down operations.

"When I arrived the roof area was smoking badly. We can't do anything until police officers have been and checked over the building.

"Most of the damage appears to be confined to the roof space but some of the stock is damaged.

"We have been in business for 30 years in the town and 23 years in this building and this is very upsetting. I can only thank the fire crews for their prompt action."