AN electrical fault is believed to have started a blaze which destroyed a general store.

Two ladies and their friend were in the shop in Shannon Crescent in Fairfield, Stockton, when they smelt smoke and evacuated immediately.

Fire crews were at the scene within five minutes but the blaze, which was described as "ferocious" by Stockton watch commander Davey Veitch, quickly took hold.

Fortunately residents in the two flats above and next to the shop were out the time the fire started at 8.44pm last night (Thursday, June 16).

Two other nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution.

Four firefighters in breathing apparatus took 40 minutes to extinguish the flames, which gutted the shop and store room and left the two flats badly damaged.

"We do not class the fire as suspicious and believe it may be due to an electrical fault in the shop but, due to the ferocity of the fire, further investigations will be carried out this morning," said Mr Veitch.

"The two flats did not have working smoke alarms. Had this happened later at night we would possibly be looking at a number of fatalities."

Two fire crews from Stockton, one from Thornaby and a hydraulic platform from Middlesbrough attended.

For free advice on fire safety in the home contact your local fire station.