POLICE are continuing to investigate the cause of a fire, which gutted, a four-storey disused shop in Newport city centre at the weekend.

Eight fire crews were called to tackle the blaze, which started in the roof space of what is understood to be the former Taylor’s shoe repairs, key cutting and engraving shop, on Commercial Street, on Saturday night.

The fire quickly spread to other floors, but did not affect adjoining properties.

Gwent Police received a call reporting a fire at a premises in Commercial Street at approximately 10.35pm on July 7.

It took fire crews from Maindee, Malpas, Duffryn, Cwmbran, Caerphilly and Cardiff Central around three hours to get the blaze under control using a hydraulic platform. The fire was finally put out around 1.30am on Sunday.

The shop and its neighbouring premises were cordoned off to the public on Sunday to protect pedestrians from shattered glass strewn across the pavement.

Many of the property’s windows were blown out by the blaze and its blackened walls were visible from outside. The remnants of burned furniture and windowblinds could be seen on the first floor, while the ground floor windows were boarded up.

The cause of the fire is as yet unknown, but police are investigating the incident and are appealing for anyone with information, or who sawanything suspicious, to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.