A GWENT family fear for the future of their business following the fire in Central Buildings, Oakdale.

One man fled his flat and ten people living nearby were evacuated as a precaution after the fire broke out at the rear of a derelict shop.

It spread to the other floors, which were also empty, and an adjoining building housing a residential flat, a bakery and a family butchers.

Firefighters spent three hours bringing it under control.

Phil Jenkins, owner of Prime Cut, fears his business may be ruined by the fire.

He said: "I am angry. That's my business gone. I can't see that we are going to be able to trade for Christmas which is our busiest time of year.

"The way it is looking now, we won't be open for a while. I've got so many Christmas orders, they are all going to be lost. This may even put me out of business completely."

His sister and co-owner Angela Ball added: "At the very least this is going to cost us an awful lot of money.

"We are devastated. We can't believe this has happened."

The man living in the flat above raised the alarm just before 3am and woke up his neighbour Christian Powell, a 20-year-old carpenter.

"I was awoken by the doorbell and my neighbour said I had better get out. I stuck my head of the window and saw smoke everywhere and lots of fire engines.

"It frightened the life out of me.

"Luckily, my flat is not damaged but I feel sorry for my neighbour."

The Spar shop has been empty for about four years and suffered another fire about three years ago.

Residents said there has been a series of break-ins, vandalism and small fires set in the building.

Cefn Fforest watch manager Darrell Brain said the fire service was investigating the cause but they were treating it as suspicious at the moment because it started in an empty building.

Police also confirmed they were treating it as suspicious.