DARTMOUTH residents and shop owners were today still coming to terms with the devastation after a fierce fire ripped through the town's historic centre.

Dartmouth's Tudor centre was left "looking like a war zone" after a fire engulfed up to eight retail premises and fifteen flats at Fairfax Place and neighbouring streets.

Estate agent Singer and Singer, the Wheelhouse fish and chip shop, Higher Street Gallery, Smith Street Delicatessen, the Compass Office Shop, Port of Call signage shop and Khrua Thai restaurant were all damaged by the fire which spread 25 metres and destroyed most of the three-storey premises from the roof to the ground floor.

It is still unclear where the fire started but it is thought to be electrical and not suspicious. Dartmouth fire station manager Andy Rowse said yesterday: "The fire started somewhere in the electricity supply, we are not sure where at this stage.

"It could have been in the fish and chip shop, it could have been in the Thai restaurant — those are the two areas we are looking at."

At its height, more than 80 firefighters from across South Devon fought to control the fire, which spread quickly through the old, timber-framed, buildings.

The structures became unsafe very quickly and crews also had to contend with a fractured gas pipe and remove three butane gas cylinders from the premises.

Charred remains, blown-out windows, and debris from the roofs of the buildings lay in the street after fire crews spent 22 hours battling the blaze.

On Saturday, police and fire crews remained at the scene, which was cordoned off while fire investigators and building controllers surveyed the scene.

Yesterday, Fairfax Place and Higher Street remained closed with a temporary traffic system operating on the Embankment.

Landlord Nigel Way, who owns the ornate Khrua Thai restaurant building, said: "My family and I are absolutely devastated at the loss of the building. It was a building we bought 25 years ago when it was semi-derelict and we refurbished it.

"To us, it was a valuable family possession — a bit like an antique. My wife and I had just made the decision to give it to our children."

He said the Thai family who live above the restaurant and manage it, had lost their belongings, including their passports and visas. He was relieved no one was injured in the fire and he praised Devon Somerset Fire and Rescue Service for their efforts.

Mr Way said he "could not bear" to watch the fire take hold on Friday lunchtime.

"The roof has fallen in and fallen down through the building. The facade is still there but the 16th-century plaster ceilings which we had restored have all gone."

Mr Way, who also owns the Royal Castle in the town and the Seven Stars in Totnes said up to a dozen other buildings had been adversely affected by the fire, which sent black smoke out across the River Dart and resulted in the evacuation and closure of parts of the town centre.

But the community was soon rallying together in "Dunkirk spirit" to help those who had lost their homes and businesses.

Mr Way said: "Dartmouth has an incredible spirit. People will rally round because it is that sort of town. One chap approached me and asked if I knew anyone made homeless and he offered a house for three weeks for no charge."

Signature of Dartmouth owner Paul Greenfield, whose furniture shop is opposite the scene of the fire, said: "The damage is terrible especially to the buildings around the back, but there has been a great Dunkirk spirit with everyone banding together to see what they can do to help people who have lost their homes."

He was first alerted to the fire when Wheelhouse staff came across the road to borrow a fire extinguisher because theirs had run out.

He said: "The fire took hold and suddenly smoke started to take off. We were told we had to leave immediately so we did."

Nick Orsler, owner of nearby glassmakers Blown Studio, said he was evacuated just after 1.30pm.

Standing at the edge of the police cordon on Saturday, he surveyed the damage. "It's like a war zone. I just feel for the occupants of the flats. To lose your business is one thing but to lose your home and possessions is another."

Other business and home owners gathered in the doorway of Skippers takeaway cafe said they were "too traumatised" to speak about the fire, the impact of which they were coming to terms with.

The Walkers, who are tenants at the Wheelhouse, were too distressed to comment.

A spokesman for the family said they did not believe the fire had started in their shop.

"We know there was no fire in our restaurant or takeaway area at all. It was right at the back. It was not in our shop."

Fire investigators are still ascertaining the exact cause of the fire

Mr Rowse said: "At least eight flats are unable to be occupied due to the severity of the damage.

"I believed those that are currently homeless are being housed by friends, neighbours and relatives.

"We are still monitoring any hot spots and dampening down. The site has now been secured and made safe.

"We are hopefully going to be handing responsibility back to the owners of the properties on Monday morning. Some of these people will not be able to go back in to the properties and will be handing things over to insurance companies."

A spokesman for South Hams Council confirmed it had environmental health and building control officers at the scene on Friday.

"The officers are on hand to advise on any structures which may have become dangerous due to the effects of the fire and to advise on, and monitor, any environmental health issues," he said.

"Also, the council's housing team is on standby."