The building was destroyed in the blaze

A fire at a carpet shop in east Belfast has caused damage estimated at about �500,000.

The Martin Phillips showroom was destroyed in the blaze, which started just before 0500 GMT on Monday.

The cause of the outbreak is still being investigated.

The Woodstock Road was cordoned off while firefighters brought the blaze under control. It has since been reopened.

Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Jim Boyd said firefighters surrounded the fire and would have to spend hours dampening it down.

There are other commercial premises adjoining to the Martin Phillips showroom and terraced houses to the rear of the property which could have been affected by sparks PSNI spokesman

It was a difficult blaze to extinguish completely because of the burning carpet, said the fire officer.

The three-storey building was destroyed and an adjoining shop sustained smoke damage.

However, nearby houses were not affected. The Fire Service said it was lucky there was no wind as the houses at the rear of the showroom could have been in jeopardy.

School damaged

Martin Phillips said the fire caused damage estimated at about �500,000 at the shop, which employs six people.

They will be employed at other branches and Christmas orders placed through the east Belfast branch will be honoured.

Mr Phillips said the firm was currently seeking a temporary base to trade from.

"The store is to be demolished later today," he said.

"The city council have asked for it to be demolished as they feel it's unsafe.

"Hopefully no-one will be without their carpet for Christmas."

A police spokesman said the fire could have caused more serious damage.

"There are other commercial premises adjoining the Martin Phillips showroom and terraced houses to the rear of the property which could have been affected by sparks.

"The roofs could have caught light, so this was excellent work by the PSNI and fire crews getting there so quickly."

Meanwhile, the headmistress of a Belfast school damaged in an arson attack has blamed anti-social elements for starting the fire.

It is estimated the repairs at St Colm's High School in Twinbrook will cost several thousand pounds.

Imelda Jordan said the damage caused by Sunday's blaze was limited thanks to the prompt action of the caretakers and the Fire Brigade.

"Clearly I am very upset, and indeed angry, for our pupils, parents and teachers who are very proud of St Colm's," she said.

"Attempts to disrupt the eduction of young people by this way by anti-social elements in our society are totally despicable."