A BUSINESS owner has spoken of his devastation after his warehouse was "completely wiped out" in a huge fire.

Dave's Carpet Warehouse, owned by Dave Todd, was one of several businesses heavily damaged in the fire which tore through commercial properties in Darnley Street, Old Trafford, last week.

The blaze resulted in tens of thousands of pounds of damage to Mr Todd's shop and only the store's frontage remains intact.

Mr Todd, aged 60, said: "I'm absolutely devastated. We have been around this area for over 20 years. It's so iconic that place. It was a focal point in the area.

"The fire has completely wiped out my business. There's nothing left, just a little bit of the front. All of our stock was in there and it has all gone."

Mr Todd was first alerted to the blaze after one of his employees went to investigate an alarm set of at the business, only to find a neighbouring property on fire.

As the inferno took hold, flames spread to Mr Todd's warehouse, ripping through the building and its contents.

He estimates the blaze destroyed upwards of £90,000 of his stock, but is as yet unable to put a figure on the total damage.

Dave's Carpet Warehouse is one of the area's longest running firms and has been in business for over 20 years.

Despite the calamity Mr Todd is determined to stay in business and has moved to a new shop across the street.

He said: "Now we have got to try and rebuild. Our new premises is the nearest we could get in the area.

"We want to stay here where we have built up a fantastic name."

He added: "Since the fire we have successfully carried out all outstanding business. So even though we have had no stock, we have managed to source stock and supply it, which is what it's all about."

Since the fire, Mr Todd said that his customers and people from the community have been "brilliant" in standing by the firm in their time of need, and says he has been inundated with messages of support.

He said: "The community and our customers have been fantastic. Even on the day of the fire one resident was bringing us brews and biscuits.

"People have been coming up to us and sending us emails and Facebook messages of support.

"One customer has even set up a fundraising page on behalf of us. Which just shows the feelings people have for the place. I didn't even realise until this happened."

Fire crews were called to the commercial property fire shortly before 5am on February 8.

At its height, firefighters estimated the fire was 30 by 30 metres and required 10 fire engines and two aerial appliances, battling the flames for several hours, to bring it under control.

They also fought to keep two gas cylinders, found inside the properties, cool, to prevent an explosion.

Around 45 nearby residents were evacuated from their homes and roads were closed causing significant disruption.