The Fire Brigade said the blaze at Camlough, near the border with the Republic of Ireland, started in a chip shop and was accidental.

It erupted on Friday afternoon after a deep fat fryer burst into flames.

The ceiling of the chip shop then caught fire, and the flames spread along the row of shops through the roof.

It has torn into the commercial heart of the village

Conor Murphy Assembly member

It took firefighters more than two hours to bring the fire under control.

The chip shop is one of five businesses in the block - four premises have been destroyed, including the village's chemist.

Sinn Fein assembly member Conor Murphy said the loss of the shops would have a devastating effect on the village.

"It has torn into the commercial heart of the village," he said.

"About 70 people are employed there.

"There appears to be a lot of smoke and water damage and it's likely that the majority of the complex will have to be bulldozed. It is devastating."