Ashbrooke Shop severely damaged in fire after burglar attempted to break-in with blow torch and set it alight

A shop in the Ashbrooke area has been severely damaged in a fire after a burglar attempted to break in with a blow torch and set the property ablaze.

The incident happened on Belvedere Road in the early hours of this morning, which was attended to by multiple fire crews.

Witnesses state the burglar attempted to cut through the store shutters using a blow torch, attempting to cut a door-like shape into the property.

However they failed to consider that the torch created sparks on the other side, which subsequently started a large fire.

Local sources tell SGM the fire has completely ruined the business, destroying 90% of stock in the process.

The suspect was described as a white man in his thirties.