A COMIC book store owner who lost his business during the third fire in Stanley’s main shopping street has said he is "gutted’ by the blaze.

Police have said the fire which destroyed The Hub on Front Street was started by a carelessly discarded match or cigarette.

Emergency services were called at around 8pm on Sunday to the third town centre fire in less than 18 months.

Today, (Monday, March 16) looking through the charred remains of the store, upset owner Marc Proudfoot said: “I am gutted.”

Stanley police has been working with fire investigators since it broke out to determine the cause.

A spokesman said the fire was not being treated as suspicious.

The spokesman said: “It was started accidentally inside the premises as the result of either discarded cigarette ash or a match not properly extinguished.

“A joint police and fire investigation was carried out today, and it was soon established that there was no foul play.

“This incident does highlight the dangers of smoking inside any premises, and the care that should be taken when discarding cigarettes or matches in general waste.”

In November 2013, the historic Elite Buildings at the bottom of Front Street were reduced to rubble after fire started in a Chinese takeaway.

The following month, four businesses were forced to temporarily close after an arson attack on a Victorian parade of shops.

Durham County Councillor Carl Marshall, who represents the Stanley area, said: “I was shocked to hear of another fire in Stanley. It is extremely disappointing that more businesses in the town have been affected by fires.”

Stanley Town Councillor Christine Bell, who is also chairman of Stanley Traders’ Association, said: “It is not suspicious and from the traders’ perspective we are all devastated at yet another fire in Stanley.

“It is really upsetting but mainly our thoughts are with the business owners.

“Hopefully, there will be a speedy turn around for these two gentlemen to get them up and running again as soon as possible.”