A York shop owner was devastated today after fire ripped through his workshop, destroying thousands of pounds worth of televisions.

Fire broke out just after midnight at Denvy Electronics, in North Moor Road, Huntington, in a workshop at the back of the shop premises. The pre-fabricated building, which was full of new television sets and other in for repair, was destroyed.

Owner David Vause, who was called to his business at 1am, said today that he could not even begin to count the cost of the damage.

He added: "It will take a while for what has happened to sink in. I've built this business up over three years and I'm so shocked at what has happened."

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service received 11 calls from neighbouring houses, and four fire engines and 25 firefighters attended the scene.

The fire was put out by 1.30am, and fire inspectors and scenes of crime officers returned to the workshop today.

Jane Thatcher, scenes of crime officer, said arson had not been ruled out and officers were sifting through the damage to eliminate an electrical fault as the cause.

Updated: 11:45 Thursday, April 19, 2001