A LOCAL businessman has said the owners of the furniture shops situated where the big Bradford blaze occurred have been left 'traumatised'.

It is believed the main units damaged by the fire were those on Summerville Road closest to Woodhead Road; Worldwide Foodstores, Bentley Beds, White Rose Fabrics, White Rose Upholstery and Oman's Furniture.

The Telegraph & Argus has tried to contact all five stores.

Bentley Beds and Oman's Furniture operate under the same telephone number as do both White Rose branches, so it is thought the two pairs are each owned by a couple of different people.

Hussain, of The Mortgage Centre which is next to Oman's Furniture further down Summerville Road, said: "The furniture companies are going to be at a great loss.

"All the smoke damage, everything is going to be ruined, nothing will be saved.

"I have spoken to them and they are traumatised. I am going down now to see if I can help them in any way."

Luckily, Hussain's business has not suffered any damage.

But a phone call from the fire service at 3.30am was certainly unexpected.

Initially they were going to break into his unit to see if the fire had spread that far along the road. Instead, he came with the keys.

He added: "Apparently, the fire started at Worldwide Foodstores (on the corner when coming down Woodhead Road onto Summerville Road).

"I have rented this unit for the last few months and there was no damage here.

"My loss would not have been that big anyway, it would have been a couple of tables and chairs."